December 24 IMMANUEL "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel--which means, 'God with us' " (Matthew 1:23, NIV). What a thrilling message of hope is wrapped up in this single title! Before Christ's birth, the angel Gabriel gave precise instructions concerning some of the names and titles of Jesus. This one-word title identifies Jesus as the incarnate Son of God. Immanuel is the joyous good news that God Himself has come to dwell with us. While in human form, Jesus, the Immanuel, demonstrated the character, nature, personality, and purpose of God. All that God is was manifested in the person of Jesus Christ (see John 1:18). "Everything that Christ did was an exhibition of God's power and purpose; everything He said was an expression of God's will and word; and everything He predicted was an evidence of God's prescience and omniscience."--Charles J. Rolls, The Indescribable Christ, p. 118. Immanuel belongs to us, and we belong to Him forever. He is our blood brother and our personal Saviour. "In every doctrine of grace, every promise of joy, every deed of love, every divine attraction presented in the Saviour's life on earth, we see 'God with us.' "--The Desire of Ages, p. 24. Hallelujah! God is with His people forever. The saving, keeping presence of Immanuel is with His people in their joys and sorrows, their pain and pleasure, their ups and downs, their trials and triumphs. Immanuel is the central message of the nativity. This means everything to us. "What a broad foundation does it lay for our faith! What a hope big with immortality does it place before the believing soul! God with us in Christ Jesus to accompany us every step of the journey to heaven!"--God's Amazing Grace, p. 201. My Prayer Today: Lord, thank You for identifying with the human family forever. Amen.