The Wonder of Emmanuel

Ah, Christmas—the time of year when everything sparkles a little brighter and the air carries the faint scent of pine needles and gingerbread. Yet, let's be honest. For many of us, the holiday season feels more like a frantic dash than a peaceful celebration. We juggle decorating, shopping, cooking, and traveling until we’re left breathless, wondering, “Is this what Christmas is supposed to feel like?”

But what if this year could be different? What if instead of rushing, we paused? Instead of checking off tasks, we took a deep breath and rediscovered the wonder of Christmas—not the version wrapped in glittery paper and adorned with bows, but the one that has been whispered through the ages, long before Bethlehem.

Let’s go back—way back—to an ancient promise, tucked into a chaotic chapter of history, and see how the story of Christmas began.

The year is 735 B.C. The scene? The southern kingdom of Judah, in turmoil. Fear hangs thick in the air as political alliances crumble and rumors of war spread like wildfire. It’s in this chaotic setting that the prophet Isaiah steps forward with a message of hope.

Isaiah was just starting out—26 years old, freshly called to ministry, and already knee-deep in one of the most stressful jobs imaginable. God tasked him with confronting King Ahaz, a leader who, let’s just say, didn’t make the “Best King Ever” list. Ahaz had turned Judah away from worshiping God, leading the nation into idolatry and even child sacrifice. Talk about a mess.

Yet, despite Judah’s rebellion, God wasn’t giving up on them. In the midst of their darkness, He offered a promise—a sign of hope for the future: "Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel." (Isaiah 7:14)

This wasn’t just a poetic line to scribble on a scroll. It was a divine declaration that changed everything. “Immanuel” means God with us. Think about that for a second. In their darkest hour, God promised His presence. Not wrath. Not abandonment. But Himself.

What’s even more remarkable is how God chose to illustrate this promise. He told Isaiah to bring along his young son, Shearjashub. Isaiah 7:3 – “Then said the Lord unto Isaiah, Go forth now to meet Ahaz, thou, and Shearjashub thy son, at the end of the conduit of the upper pool in the highway of the fuller's field;”

Picture it: Isaiah, standing before the rebellious King Ahaz, holding his baby boy as a living reminder of God’s promise. Shearjashub’s name literally meant, “A remnant shall return.” Even when the people turned their backs on God, He was saying, I’m not done with you. There’s still hope.

Fast forward 750 years, and that ancient promise found its ultimate fulfillment in a little town called Bethlehem. The virgin’s son wasn’t just a sign—it was salvation Himself. Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, entered our broken world to bring redemption.
 
Matthew 1:22-23 – “Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.”

But here’s the thing: the story didn’t start in Bethlehem. It started in the heart of God, long before time began. Isaiah’s prophecy is a reminder that Christmas isn’t just about a baby in a manger; it’s about a God who refused to leave us in our mess.

So, what does this mean for us today? It means that Christmas isn’t about the gifts under the tree but about the greatest gift ever given—God’s presence in our lives. Emmanuel, God with us. It’s a story of love, grace, and relentless pursuit.

This season, as you sip hot cocoa by the fire or gather with loved ones, take a moment to reflect. Pause to marvel at the lengths God went to redeem us. Remember the story before the story—the promise made in Isaiah that echoed all the way to Bethlehem.

Because Christmas isn’t just an event to celebrate. It’s an invitation to experience Emmanuel, God with us, every day.