Immanuel — God With Us
Text: Luke 2:10–11; Matthew 1:21–23; Romans 4:25; John 10:9
Introduction
Christmas is one of the most familiar seasons in the Christian calendar—and therefore one of the most dangerous. Familiarity can dull wonder. We hear the story every year: Bethlehem, angels, shepherds, a baby in a manger. Yet Luke’s Gospel insists that what happened that night was not sentimental—it was cosmic.
The angel declares:
“Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.”
Not a teacher.
Not a moral example.
A Savior.
Matthew gives this Savior a name that unlocks the meaning of Christmas:
“They shall call his name Immanuel,” which means, “God with us.”
This name tells us why He came, what He came to do, and what remains true for us now.
I. Immanuel: God Has Come Near
From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible tells one story: God desires to dwell with His people.
In Eden, God walked with Adam.
In the wilderness, God dwelt in the tabernacle.
In the temple, His glory filled the Holy of Holies.
Yet in every case, something was missing. Sin created distance. God was present, but separated. A veil stood between God and humanity.
Christmas announces something radically new.
God does not merely send help.
God does not merely speak again through prophets. God comes Himself.
Immanuel means the infinite God enters time.
The holy God enters broken humanity.
The eternal Word becomes flesh.
This is not God visiting humanity—it is God joining humanity.
II. Immanuel Came to Die for Our Sins and Rise for Our Justification
We must say this clearly:
Jesus was not born merely to live among us. He was born to die for us.
Matthew records the angel’s words to Joseph:
“You shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”
The manger already casts the shadow of the cross.
Jesus came as the atoning sacrifice—to bear sin, satisfy justice, and reconcile us to God. The problem of humanity is not ignorance; it is guilt. Not lack of information; but separation caused by sin.
On the cross:
Sin was judged.
Justice was satisfied.
Mercy was poured out.
And on the third day, He rose again.
Paul summarizes the gospel in one sentence:
“He was delivered over to death for our sins and raised to life for our justification.” (Romans 4:25)
The resurrection is God’s declaration that the sacrifice was sufficient.
Christmas without the cross is sentiment.
Christmas without the resurrection is tragedy.
But Christmas with the cross and resurrection is salvation.
III. Immanuel Remains the Door to Salvation and Fellowship with God
Immanuel is not only a past event. It is a present reality.
Jesus declares:
“I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved.” (John 10:9)
This means two things:
1. Salvation Is Found in Christ Alone
There is no alternate entrance. No side door. No self-made path.
Christ is not one option among many—He is the door.
2. Fellowship with God Is Sustained Through Christ
Jesus did not come, redeem us, and then withdraw.
He remains the mediator, the living way, the ongoing access to God.
While we live in this body—weak, tempted, uncertain—our fellowship with God is real, daily, and secure through Christ.
We do not walk alone. We do not pray into emptiness. We do not suffer without presence.
Immanuel means God is with us now.
IV. What This Means for Us Today
We live in a world of unprecedented connection and deep loneliness.
A world of artificial intelligence and fragile identity.
A world that can optimize everything—except the human soul.
Christmas declares:
You are not saved by knowledge, but by incarnation.
Not by progress, but by grace.
Not by effort, but by atonement.
Because of Immanuel:
Your sins can be forgiven.
Your standing with God can be secure.
Your life can be lived in fellowship with Him—now and forever.
Conclusion
Christmas is not the celebration of a baby who stayed in a manger.
It is the proclamation of a Savior who went to the cross, rose from the grave, and remains with His people.
Immanuel means:
God with us in flesh,
God for us on the cross,
God victorious in resurrection,
God present with us still.
This is the good news of Christmas.
God is with us.
Closing Prayer
Gracious Heavenly Father
we thank You for the gift of Your Son,
Immanuel—God with us.
Thank You that You did not remain distant,
but entered our world in humility,
took on our flesh,
bore our sin upon the cross,
and rose again for our justification.
We confess that we often live as though we are alone,
forgetting that through Jesus Christ
the door to salvation and fellowship with You stands open.
Draw us again through that door,
that we may walk daily in forgiveness, assurance, and communion with You.
As we leave this place,
may the truth of Christmas dwell richly in us:
that You are with us in our weakness,
with us in our suffering,
and with us in hope and joy.
Receive our lives as a living offering,
and help us to bear witness
to the light that has come into the world.
We pray all this in the precious name of Jesus Christ,
our Savior and our Lord.
Amen.
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