”And she shall bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He shall save His people from their sins.” ...”Behold the virgin shall be with child and bear a Son and they shall call His name Immanuel” which is translated “God with us.”
Matthew 1:21, 23 (NKJV)
Each of us have special names given to us by our parents.
Our LORD was given a very special name. His heavenly Father sent an angel to Joseph to assist him in understanding what had happened with Mary. The angel told Joseph the child, a son, would be named Jesus because He would save people from their sins.
Had God not intended Jesus to bring salvation to the people of the world, I shudder to think what shape it would be in now.
In the Old Testament, the prophet Isaiah tells King Ahaz that, in the future, there will be born a child whose name will be Immanuel, meaning, “God with us.”
When we believe in Jesus, we find ourselves thankful that God is with us through the presence of Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
During this season of Advent, the church makes ready our heats. Our church has an Advent Candle that chosen people from the congregation light. One of them reads about the candle that is being lit that week another person lights the candle of the week. As the season progresses, person lighting the candle also lights the candles of the previous week or weeks. On Christmas Eve, all four of the candles around the edge are lit and the Christ candle in the middle is light, celebrating His first Advent and pointing toward His second Advent.
It is truly a joyous part of our church services during this holy time.
How I love every moment of Advent, Cecelia. May your season be blessed!
ReplyDeleteMartha Jane: While Advent is a wonderful season, I have knowledge of people with whom I either worship or have worshipped with who are facing health issues, some very serious. God has all my concerns under His control. Peace and blessings to you and yours.
DeleteI love Advent as well. This is the best part of the Christmas season, the Advent preparation of our hearts for the coming of Jesus, not just the first Advent, but preparing for the 2nd Advent as well. And I love that Jesus knows my name. That is very special to me to know. Yes, names are very special. And His name shall be called, Emmanuel, God with us!!! Amen!
ReplyDeletePam: I am enjoying this Advent season. God has certainly blessed me. Yes, He does prepare our hearts for us to celebrate His coming to earth and reminds us that He will come again. Peace and blessings to you and yours.
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