Finding Purpose, Hope and Joy Through Jesus’ BirthSample

Day 12 – Isaiah’s Hope

Immanuel—God with us.

We often hear these verses read at Christmas time as part of the story of Jesus’ birth, but do the verses in Isaiah also have another importance? Were these verses simply prophecy about the coming Savior? Many people are surprised to find out there is more to the story!

In Isaiah’s time, there was another child who would be born and given the name Immanuel. The name was prophecied as a sign to King Ahaz. Judah would find relief from attacks by Israel and Syria. God would protect them. The name Immanuel was a sign that God would protect His people and deliver them. While Isaiah was warning the people of his day about coming judgment and deliverance, he was also promising eternal hope with the coming Messiah.

Fast-forward about seven hundred years later…

Another baby would be named Immanuel. This one was born of a virgin. Matthew 1:22-23 says, “All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: ‘The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel’ (which means ‘God with us’).” 

Jesus is literally “God with us.” As fully human and fully God, He fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah. Jesus lived with His people and walked among them. Unlike the child born in Isaiah’s time, Jesus is more than a sign. He is literally God with us.

He left the glories of heaven to live among us. Through His death on the cross, we can be reconciled with God. Nothing can separate us from His love. He is God with us. He is our Immanuel.