Carols Devotional: “God With Us”

God with us, Day 1 

Matthew 1:23

“Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”

If you have ever felt like God was far away, Emmanuel is an encouraging Carol. The name Emmanuel is translated “God with us.” God could have picked any name for His son; Joe, Larry, Bob, Scott…but His son’s name had a meaning He wanted to convey to His sons and daughters on the earth. God is not far, God is near. God is approachable and understands what we are going through. God is not elusive and distant but He is right there in the midst of us, in the midst of the chaos of our lives and circumstances. God doesn’t want us to face the rough circumstances of life wondering where He is, He wants us to know He is right there with us!

Emmanuel is thought to possibly be the oldest Christmas Carol sung today. During the Middle ages, when few had access to the scriptures, this Carol was a great teaching tool because it provides the story of how the Old Testament and New Testament scriptures came together in the birth of Jesus. It’s amazing that even those in the middle ages needed the same reminder we do today: God is with us! He understands! When we feel lonely, remember that Israel was in lonely exile, waiting for the promised messiah. God didn’t leave them alone, but assured them of His presence not only through His son, but through the significance of His name.

O come, O come, Emmanuel,

And ransom captive Israel,

That mourns in lonely exile here

Until the Son of God appear.

Rejoice! Rejoice!

Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

Melissa Miller