❤️ Isaiah 7:14 | The Meaning of Christmas

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📧 In today’s email…

• 📛 The name that changes everything

• 💭 A 5-minute practice for Christmas

• ⬇️ A powerful quote about God with us

 🧠 Memorize

_{see if you know what words go in the blanks}

Therefore ___ ____ _______ will ____ ___ _ ____.

Behold, the ______ _____ ________ and bear a ___, and shall call ___ ____ Immanuel.

Isaiah 7:14

The Name That Changes Everything 🗣️ 

Before Jesus was ever born in the flesh to the virgin Mary, his first title was “Immanuel.”

In Hebrew, the word is ‘Immanu El.

• “‘Immanu” means “with us”

• “El” is a shortened form of Elohim, one of the names for God, meaning “God” or “the Almighty”

When combined, Immanuel literally means: “God with us.”

But here’s the deeper significance:

• In ancient times, names were more than labels. They described a person’s identity or role.

• Calling the child “Immanuel” isn’t just symbolic. It’s a declaration of God’s active, tangible presence and his identity.

The Hebrew word for “with” (‘im) is key here.

It shows personal closeness — God stepping into the middle of people’s lives.

God is not far away. Not detached.

God is near, involved, and present.

Today, as we celebrate Christmas, this prophecy takes on its fullest meaning.

It pointed to Jesus Christ, who had been born of a virgin in Bethlehem.

In Jesus, God doesn’t just visit — but dwells among us.

Christmas reminds us of this life-changing truth: God didn’t send a message from afar. He came in the flesh.

On this day, we celebrate not just a baby in a manger, but God with us — for all eternity.

Immanuel. It’s the name that changes everything. 🙏 

Apply & Respond: Reflect on Immanuel 👇

Christmas is a joyful time of family, food, gifts, and celebration. But take a moment and imagine what it must have felt like on that very first Christmas night.

The world was waiting — generation after generation, holding onto prophecies like Isaiah 7:14.

God’s people were desperate for a sign, for hope, for deliverance.

And then, in a humble stable, the sign appeared. A child was born.

• Almighty God didn’t come as a conquering king. He came as a baby.

• He didn’t come with fanfare and power. He came in vulnerability and humility.

• He didn’t stay distant. He drew near.

God with us isn’t just a cutesy Christmas idea.

It’s a truth that meets us in our real lives — our chaos, celebrations, fears, and struggles.

Without the incarnation, we wouldn’t have the cross and the resurrection.

Here’s one simple step you can take today:

Pause and reflect on Immanuel.

Before the day ends, find 5 minutes to sit quietly and thank God for being with you.

• Thank God for stepping into this world.

• Thank God for stepping into your world—your joys, your struggles, and your mess.

• Ask God to help you carry the truth of Immanuel into the coming days, long after the Christmas decorations come down.

💡 If you’re gathered with family or friends, read Isaiah 7:14 and Matthew 1:22-23 aloud. Let the words of God’s promise and its fulfillment bring peace and joy to your celebration.

Wisdom Wednesday 🧠 

“God is not ashamed of the lowliness of human beings. God marches right in. He chooses people as His instruments and performs His wonders where one would least expect them. God is near to lowliness; He loves the lost, the neglected, the unseemly, the excluded, the weak, and the broken.”

— Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Recommended Resources 🎙️ 

Here are a few resources to help you dig deeper into this week’s passage:

• 📚️ God Came Near: Experiencing the Life-Changing Power of Jesus' Incarnation by Max Lucado (link)

• 📚️ The Dawning of Indestructible Joy: Daily Readings for Advent (link)

• 📚️ Unwrapping the Names of Jesus: An Advent Devotional (link)

• 💻️ Is Jesus Really the Virgin-Born Child in Isaiah 7? by The Gospel Coalition (link)

• 💻️ Where does the Old Testament predict the coming of Jesus Christ? by Got Questions (link)

• 📹 Isaiah 1-39 by the Bible Project (link)

• 📹️ 3-minute video of Tim Keller explaining the Incarnation (link)

• 📹️ God with Us (Matthew) – The Bible Project (link)

• 🎵 Listen to Isaiah 7:14 (Click here to listen on Spotify | Click here to listen on Apple Music)

• 🎄 2025 Malachi Daily Christmas Gift Guide (link)

Answer key ✅ 

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign.

Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Isaiah 7:14