5 December

The Promise Of A Child

Bible Reading

Isaiah 7:14

All right then, the Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’).

Comments

The circumstances of this verse reveal something of Israel's failure to be the people God had called them to be. Over a thousand years have passed since God's promise to Abraham. His descendents had indeed become a nation but that nation was divided into two kingdoms and now the northern kingdom, Israel, had allied itself with Syria to attack the southern kingdom, Judah. The split had occurred because of sin and now brother was fighting against brother.

However, God sent a message to the king of Judah, Ahaz, saying that Israel and Syria would not conquer Judah. If Ahaz had faith, God would deliver them. God gave the king a sign to confirm this message: the virgin would conceive and have a son whom she would name 'Emmanuel'. The child would grow and eat curds and honey. He would be safe. The country would not be defeated.

It obviously had significance for the people of the time but the gospels make it clear that there was another meaning as well that became apparent 800 years later. "Virgin" can mean simply a young woman but the gospels say that it actually referred to a virgin. You probably know who I am talking about - the virgin who miraculously had a son who was indeed, call "Emmanuel".

Emmanuel means "God with us". It is a very appropriate name for the boy born 800 years later.

This was all part of God's rescue plan and God made many promises to the people of Israel about this person who was coming and who would rescue their nation. For hundreds of years they waited in anticipation and hope.

Reflection

What do you think is the significance of the fact that God foretold these things hundreds of years before they happened? What does it say about God? What does it say about the events?
What does the phrase "God with us" mean to you?

A Carol

A Christmas Tradition

Advent calendars provide a countdown to Christmas. Generally they have 24 little doors that are to be opened, one each day, from 1 December. Each door reveals a Bible verse or a picture from the Christmas story and maybe a chocolate or some other treat. Some might even contain a suggested activity for the family.

In the nineteenth century, German Protestants put chalk marks on their doors or lit candles to mark the days leading up to Christmas.

Some people say that the first printed Advent calendar was produced by a Protestant bookshop owner in hamburg in 1902. Others say that the first was made by Gerhard Lang's mother in the late nineteenth century. He later became a printeer and produced calednars with 24 pictures. Later he added little doors to provide an element of surprise.

Unfortunately, some advent calendars nowadays have nothing to do with the Christmas story. The idea has been used for secular purposes.

The history of the Advent calendar.

A German Advent calendar from 1903 (I think).

A Family Activity

It is now after December 1 so, officially, too late to start an Advent calendar - but you still could if you wanted to. You could buy one or you could make one for the family. Imagine you were going to focus on the Christmas story. What pictures would you include and/or what Bible verses?

A Prayer

Father, "God with us" suggests that You were going to come into the world. That is an amazing thought. Thank You that You were willing to do that. Thank You that You love us enough to care and to come. Please help us to genuinely wecome You in our lives, allowing You to lead us and teach us.

In Jesus' name, Amen.

Bonus

Here is a beautiful instrumental version of O Come, O Come Emmanuel.

Relax. Listen. Does your heart also cry out "O come, O come, Emmanuel"? This broken world needs a Saviour.

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