“She will bear a son, and you shall call His name Jesus...” (Matthew 1:21) “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to Him the throne of His father David, and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end...” (Luke 1:33) “and they shall call His name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).” (Matthew 1:23)
This, the greatest event this world has ever witnessed, was prophesied thousands of years before. The prophecy had been repeated time and again, and though the nation of Israel had been greatly comforted by this glorious hope, yet few there were who were living in the expectancy of that hope. Indeed, “He came to His own, and His own people did not receive him.” (John 1:11) But “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.” (Psalm 19:1)
Wise men from the east saw His star, followed it and came to do Him homage. Angelic hosts proclaimed the glad tidings to humble shepherds who made haste to give Him the adoration of their hearts. Neither wise men nor shepherds found Him in a palace arrayed in royal robes. They found Him in a manger, wrapped in humble swaddling clothes. What a welcome for the Eternal Guest!
When eight days were accomplished, Joseph and Mary brought Him to Jerusalem
to present Him to the Lord. There was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon who was just and devout and was waiting for the consolation of Israel. The Holy Spirit was upon him. It was revealed to him by the Holy Spirit, that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord, the Christ. “And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus…he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said, Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel…” Luke 2:27-32 “And there was a prophetess,
Anna...And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem..” (Luke 2:363-8) Yet, although many looked for redemption, there was only a handful who gave homage, adoration, praise and glory to Emmanuel, God with us.
From the manger to the cross He went, manifesting Himself; the glorious presence of God with them. Deaf ears were made to hear… blind eyes were made to see… The lame and maimed were made whole. Hungry souls were satisfied with the bounty of His hand, but by His death and glorious resurrection He opened a New and Living way: God IN us.
The greatest event this world had ever seen was Emmanuel: God with us. The greatest miracle: that He should give himself a ransom for many. But beyond all our comprehension: “Christ IN you, the hope of glory.” Colossians 1:27. As Emmanuel was despised and rejected of men, so it is today.
The Christ of God waits, not for a manger but for the humble heart in which to dwell. It is His purpose to be in YOU: Christ IN YOU: to guide and guard and keep you: but first you must receive him. So why not do it now?
All Scripture in italic is taken from the English Standard Version ESV
Taken from THE WAY OF LIFE POSTAL BIBLE SCHOOL MAGAZINE December 1963