Immanuel

"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." Isaiah 7:14

One of the qualities of successful teacher or instructor is the ability to implant in a student a desire to learn - a desire to achieve or to reach a specific goal. The capstone of that ability is to do that without the student becoming aware of it.

Can you see that quality in the handiwork of God? Just look at the universal pull toward some type of religion. All cultures, all nations, all peoples have this inborn desire to attribute worship and thankfulness to a god to whom they hold themselves accountable.

That God-shaped vacuum was placed there by God that men would seek its fulfillment which can come only through a relationship with Jesus Christ. The discovery of the cure for the ache is what Christ's birth is all about. People have a God-given expectation. If we have this vacuum, then there must be something to fill it. That something is Christ.

Jesus was characterized by many names; one of them was Immanuel which boldly means God with us. Paul tells us: "...God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:27).

Immanuel: Christ in you - is He? If so, let every thought, word, and motive be a true reflection of His presence every day.

Have a Merry Christmas!