Joseph discovers that Mary is pregnant and wants to break off the engagement. However, in a dream the angel of the Lord tells him to marry Mary because the child she carried, was conceived by the Holy Spirit. Joseph is also given specific instructions concerning the naming of the child. He was to be called JESUS which means YAHWEH SAVES! This name spoke of what Jesus would do; He would save people from their sins. However, what about the name IMMANUEL? This was given in fulfilment of the Isaiah’s prophecy and means GOD WITH US. This name is descriptive of who Jesus was or is. Proof of this can be seen throughout the Scriptures.
Here are a few examples:
John’s gospel introduces the WORD as God and then goes on to say that “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” (John 1:14) Jesus, was God living among us. Later in the gospel, Jesus gave some last instructions to his disciples on the evening of his betrayal. During that time Phillip asked Jesus to show them the Father (John 14:8). And Jesus responded with “anyone who has seen me has seen the Father” (John 14:9). Jesus was God with us. When people saw Jesus, they saw the Father. Paul also made numerous references to the divinity of Jesus in his writings. For example, Colossians 1:15 and Colossians 2:9 These and other passages refer to Jesus, as God with us. Thank God that Jesus is with us not just at Christmas but throughout our lives! What an amazing and extraordinary gift that God has given us.