Waiting: Day 25

Christmas Eve 2025

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a Son. And he called His name Jesus.

Matthew 1:22-25, English Standard Version

My focus the last 24 days has been on these four people who found themselves smack dab in the middle of the first Christmas as it unfolded. In trying to reflect on what they were thinking and feeling, I hope we’ve gotten a greater appreciation for what it means to be a faithful follower of Jesus in all circumstances.

This isn't just a human story, but a God story, one initiated by Him, one that pours forth from His graciousness and love, His power and His care. And, in an amazing twist, it’s a God story that becomes incredibly human.

The angel’s message about the Baby is a direct quote from Isaiah 7:14-Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel. A lot of folks get stuck questioning the Virgin Birth because, to their minds, it just can’t happen. It is a big miracle, quite incredible. I’ll give them that much. But that Immanuel business is an even bigger deal.

Immanuel, Matthew tells us, means God with us. WHAT? God with us. Really?

They’ll give Him the name Jesus, which means God saves, because that’s exactly what He’ll ultimately do. That’s pointing to the Cross. But before we get there, we’ve got to take a little trip to Bethlehem so we can peek into the Manger. And guess what we’ll find?