In this Christmas devotional, we’ll read Isaiah 7:14 to discover the gospel message and the true meaning of Emmanuel God with us. The story of Jesus’ birth is a message of hope that is sure to inspire you and your family during the holiday season and beyond!
Where in the Bible does it say Emmanuel God with us?
The Old Testament book of Isaiah tells us of the virgin birth of Jesus Christ, the promised child who would save all mankind from our sins. Isaiah’s words are the very beginning of the inspirational Christmas story we celebrate each year. So, let’s read them and be inspired for the holiday.
Then he said, “Hear now, O house of David! Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will you weary my God also?
Isaiah 7:13 New King James Version
Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son and she will call His name Immanuel.
And Isaiah’s prophecy of the virgin birth and the coming Messiah is echoed in Matthew’s gospel in the New Testament.
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.
What is the difference between Immanuel and Emmanuel?
You may have noticed in these Christmas scriptures the names Immanuel and Emmanuel both appear.
Is there a difference in the meaning behind this name? And does it matter which one you use?
The simple answer is no. Both names translate to God with us.
They are just spelled a little bit differently in various versions of the Bible.
So, you can use whichever version of this name of Jesus Christ you would like. In this devotion, I’ll use both. But they still mean the same thing.
Emmanuel Meaning in the Bible
What is the meaning of Emmanuel?
Jesus has many names and titles given to Him by God the Father. And from both the prophecy of Isaiah and Matthew’s account, we learn His name, Emmanuel, which means “God with us”.
Each part of the Holy Trinity has a unique role to play with humanity. And from His name, Emmanuel, we see Jesus is the part of the Godhead who has come to earth to be with us.
These Bible Verses about Jesus remind us of the presence of God in our everyday lives. Because Jesus is always with us, no matter what time of year it is, or what is happening in the world around us. This truth encourages our hearts and calms our minds during both happy times and tough times.
What is the importance of God with us?
Jesus came to save what was lost, namely, us.
In His own words, He described it this way…
for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.
Jesus’ role in coming to earth was to live the perfect life we never could. Die on the cross for our sins. And be raised again on the third day.
Even though we focus on the birth of our Savior during Christmas, this is the gospel message we celebrate every day of the year. And the importance of God with us in our daily lives.
Read More: Festive Bible Verses for Christmas
A Child is Born
From the beginning of time, it was always God the Father’s plan to send the Son to save us from our sins.
So, long before Jesus was born in a manger, the prophet Isaiah prophesied of the virgin birth and a child who would be called God with us, here on earth.
Who would have guessed that the birth of a child would have so much significance in all of our lives?
For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of His government and peace
There will be no end,
Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,
To order it and establish it with judgment and justice
From that time forward, even forever.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.
Isaiah 9:6 NKJV
Discover why Jesus is the Prince of Peace in this devotional!
The Birth of Jesus in God’s Word
In the gospels, we see the ultimate fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophesy as the Christmas story unfolds.
First, the angel Gabriel appeared to Mother Mary to bring her a Word from God.
In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 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 1:26-33 ESV
Then, in the gospel of Matthew, Joseph received a Word from God too. Matthew’s use of Jesus’ given name makes it clear that Isaiah’s prophecy was fulfilled by declaring that He is the Son of God and the promised Messiah.
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly.
Matthew 1:18-19 NKJV
But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”
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How is God with us?
Jesus knew He was the only One who could save us from our sins.
And because Jesus loved us, He willingly gave up His rightful place of honor in heaven and became the sacrifice we needed.
When He died in our place and filled the gap between heaven and earth, He secured our future in heaven with Him eternally.
If we believe in Him, we are forgiven, become righteous in the sight of God, and share in the inheritance of the Son. Then, Jesus is with us from that moment on.
For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
2 Corinthians 5:21
For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
Romans 8:3-4 ESV
Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we also have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we celebrate in hope of the glory of God.
Romans 5:1-2 NASB
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Jesus With Us Every Day
The are many promises of God in the Holy Bible for us to hang our fuzzy red and white hat on. Each one is pure inspiration for those moments when we need to feel God’s love surrounding us. But after the resurrection, as Jesus ascended back into heaven, He gave us the greatest promise we could ever receive…
And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
Jesus wasn’t just God with us for the short time that He was physically here on earth, He is with us right now!
This is the promise we as Christians hold tight to. Once we believe in Jesus and put our trust in Him, we’re no longer alone. Whatever life throws at us, Jesus promises He is always there, and He will never leave us.
When times are good, He is with us to celebrate our success. And when times are bad, He is there to lift us up and get us through it.
Because we are saved, we have a personal relationship with Christ and God is always with us. And that is a promise you can be sure of today and every day!
God With Me Today
The faith we have in Jesus also gives us free and full access to God the Father whenever we want it. We can boldly enter the throne of grace and seek God’s face. Whatever troubles we have, we can take them directly to God because He wants to have a real and loving relationship with each one of us.
That’s why He gave us His only Son, Emmanuel, so we could live with Him forever.
Because of the Father’s plan for Jesus to be God with us, we can be completely confident in our faith! Jesus has conquered sin and made a way for us to have eternal life. And He will keep His promise to be with us to the end of the age because He is “God with us” yesterday, today, and forever!
So, boldly proclaim Jesus is God with me in your life today!
Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews 4:16 NKJV
The Good News of Salvation
During the time of Isaiah the nation of Israel was offered the gift of salvation. The prophet claimed that the Lord’s spirit was guiding him to preach the Word of God so that the people could be set free from their sins. The initial fulfillment of this prophecy came through sacrificing a lamb to have forgiveness.
Then in the New Testament, Jesus echoed the same words found in the book of Isaiah. He came to give us freedom through God’s grace. Because of the loving sacrifice of our Lamb of God, we can have forgiveness of sin and eternal life.
God’s offer of salvation is still just as viable now as it was in Isaiah’s day. But we couldn’t have this amazing gift of grace without the birth of Emmanuel first.
These inspiring verses may not be your typical Christmas devotional scriptures. But I promise they will touch your heart when you think of the baby born a long time ago to be God with us and to set us free.
The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, Because the Lord has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
Isaiah 61:1 NKJV
The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed;
Luke 4:18 NKJV
God’s promise of grace is just a prayer away. All you have to do is ask the Son of God to come into your life and save you from your sin.
So, whether you call Him Emmanuel, Immanuel, or simply Jesus, the meaning is the same… God is with you. The Son of God came to earth to die a sinner’s death to save you. He loves you! And He is always with you.
As we celebrate the birth of Christ, our Savior, I pray you’ll feel the joyful presence of Emmanuel God With Us in your life this Christmas season!
Merry Christmas! And God bless!
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“By the same faith we have in Jesus, we also have free and FULL access to the Father.” Yes and Amen!
Great post! Thanks for sharing.
(visiting from Faith of Fire) 🙂
Connie from Master’s Hand Collection
Hi Rachel! Thanks for stopping by. I’m so glad we’re friends and neighbors at Faith on Fire. I hope you have a blessed and Merry Christmas!
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