Note: Please turn off my music playlist at the bottom of this page before starting the video.
"Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call Him Immanuel." (Isaiah 7:14)
"All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: '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 1:22-23)
I usually do not like anything that tries to add something to the Biblical account. However, I find the video below quite interesting. It may help people ponder at Christ's birth in a new way.
As you recapture the wonder of our Redeemer's birth, may you be reminded of His amazing grace and be refreshed by His awesome love! Rejoice...rejoice...Immanuel...God with us!
Merry CHRISTmas and have a blessed New Year, everyone!
~ Click here to find the links to other Spiritual Sundays posts.
1. "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 be with Child and will give birth to a Son, and they will call Him Immanuel'--which means, 'God with us.'" Matthew 1:20b-23
2. "For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6
3. "The angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Luke 2:10-12
4. "The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth...No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father's side, has made Him known." John 1:14, 18
5. "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him." John 3:16-17
6. "Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God--children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God." John 1:12-13
7. "Jesus said to her, 'I am the Resurrection and the Life. He who believes in Me will live even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?'" John 11:25-26
8. "Jesus answered, 'I am the Way and the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." John 14:6
9. "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through Whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God...And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, Whom He has given us." Romans 5:1, 2, 5
10. "For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ." Romans 5:17
11. "After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. 'The time has come,' He said. 'The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!'" Mark 1: 14-15
12. "He said to them, 'Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved.'" Mark 16:15-16a
Let's not keep the good news to ourselves. Let us lovingly and joyfully spread the good news any chance we get so that the world may know!
I love all of Jesus's names. One of them that touches my heart deeply is Immanuel: God with us. I am forever grateful and in awe that our Almighty God who can have anything in this universe, loves us so much and wants to be with us...to dwell in us.
"The virgin will be with Child and will give birth to a Son and they will call Him Immanuel (Emmanuel)--which means, 'God with us.'" Matthew 1:23
The skies don't seem to be as dark as usual
The stars seem brighter then they've been before
Deep within I feel my soul a stirring
As though my hope has been restored
The shepherds say they've heard the voice of angels
Confirming rumors spread across the land
That a child protected well from Herod's anger
Is our Father's Son, and the son of man
Love is raining down on the world tonight
There's a presence here I can tell
God is in us, God is for us, God is with us, Emmanuel
He's the Savior we have been praying for
In our humble hearts He will dwell
God is in us, God is for us, God is with us, Emmanuel
I feel compelled to tell all who will listen
That peace on earth is not so out of reach
If we can find grace, mercy and forgiveness
He has come to save, He is all of these
You're the Savior we have been praying for
In our humble hearts You will dwell
You are in us, You are for us, You are with us, Emmanuel
Rejoice! Rejoice in the joy of Christ's birth and of knowing that He is with us, in us, and for us! Merry CHRISTmas, everyone!
P.S. I'm hosting a book giveaway on my HSB blog. You can win a copy of 40 Loaves: Breaking Bread with Our Father Each Day by C.D. Baker. The deadline is this Sunday, Dec. 20th at midnight (Pacific time). Hope you will stop by and enter:)! I am also hosting 12 Pearls of Christmas until Dec. 25th on this blog. Please come back everyday to read different inspiring and touching stories written by well-known Christian female authors (Melody Carlson, Tricia Goyer, Susan May Warren, Dawn Meehan, Maureen Lang, Mary deMuth, Holley Gerth, and more...) and leave a comment for a chance to win a pearl necklace. Scroll down to see what I have posted so far.
This week...
1. I am thankful that the best Gift in the world is free to all. "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16) No gifts can ever compare to Jesus, the greatest Gift of all!
3. I am thankful that God never leaves me nor forsakes me (Deuteronomy 31:6). Praise Immanuel (Matthew 1:23)! God is with us and in us!
4. I am thankful for running water and clean water. Water is very important; however, we don't really think about it until we have to live without it. One of my friends has had no water because of broken pipes. Daily living has become difficult for her and her family. Now think about those people in some countries who have no clean water. Please do all you can to help.
5. I am thankful for Christian writers who are willing to share their stories to help and encourage others. I am hosting 12 Pearls of Christmas. Each day until Dec. 25th, I post different inspiring and touching stories written by Christian female authors. Please scroll down to read what I have posted so far.
