Immanuel

Matthew 1:18-25 “This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.’

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’).

When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.”

The time is here. The long wait is over. For Mary, nine months of pregnancy and maybe social censure, and a trek back to Bethlehem. For the Jews, the torturous national faith journey that started in the Garden of Eden and took detours through Egypt and Babylon. For me, this period of introspection and expectation as I contemplate what Jesus’ coming will mean for me.

It all has happened, and will happen, in God’s good time. The Jews didn’t wait one minute longer than was good, and neither will I. All of the prophecies and promises are fulfilled, at just the right time.

There’s a lot of comfort in that fact, but today doesn’t feel comfortable – it’s exciting! It’s joyous! The dearest thing to my heart, the most wonderful thing I can image, has happened: God is with us! He was physically with Mary and Joseph, but he dwells in me as the Holy Spirit, and I can talk to God any time I want.

God is with us! I think about that but it doesn’t really sink in. It’s one of those things that is so great I almost can’t process it. The implications – I will never walk alone through any dark place again. I will never face any threat by myself. All my pains and tears are now shared. And I have the best counselor in the world for every choice I make from now on. 

All of life is different now, because of Christmas. Hallelujah! The wait is over.