I - Immanuel: God With Us

The name Immanuel means “God with us” (Matthew 1:23). Jesus entered our world as fully God and fully man, experiencing human struggles yet living sinlessly. As Dane Ortlund writes in Gentle and Lowly, “Jesus is not a sinless Superman but a man who knows what it is to be lonely, despised, and abandoned. Yet, He never abandons us.”

Hebrews 2:17 reminds us that Jesus became like us to be a merciful high priest, making propitiation for our sins. His sacrifice brings reconciliation, as seen in Psalm 103:10–14, where God’s mercy removes our sins as far as the East is from the West.

F - Forgiveness

Through His death and resurrection, Jesus secured forgiveness for all who believe. The tearing of the temple veil (Matthew 27:50–51) symbolizes unrestricted access to God. Without forgiveness, relationships and spiritual lives remain fractured. Accepting this gift requires humility, as many resist due to pride, distractions, or self-reliance (Romans 3:10–11).

T - Togetherness

God’s greatest gift fosters unity between humanity and the divine, as well as among believers. Revelation 3:20 portrays Christ knocking at the door of our hearts, longing for fellowship. His invitation is personal and transformative, uniting us in His love.

As we celebrate Christmas, let us remember that Jesus is the embodiment of God’s grace and truth. He is our light in darkness, our forgiveness amidst sin, and our hope for eternity. Truly, thanks be to God for His indescribable gift (2 Corinthians 9:15)!

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LAST WEEK’S MEMORY VERSE

For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; (Romans 8:29)