Emmanuel

Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel, which means “God is with us.” 

The name Jesus is a modern-day descendant of the Hebrew name Yeshua meaning "to deliver or to rescue." Emmanuel appears in the Book of Isaiah as a sign that God will protect the House of David.  What about all of our houses?

I’d like to think that during Advent and the Christmas season we all remind God to protect our houses through the Christmas tree and all our decorations.  Our trees are topped with a star, such as the one that led the magi to the infant Jesus.  Our crèches reveal the manger with its angels providing protection.  All reflect our belief that God is with us and not just on special days.  Ours is a strong belief focused on rescue and deliverance, especially deliverance from evil and rescue from sin.

So, let’s light those lights and trim those trees.   Emmanuel.

Deacon David Pierce