The Advent season reawakens us to a name originally introduced in Isaiah - Emmanuel, meaning, “God is with us.” The Creator of the world didn’t dispassionately spin the world into existence, step back, then wish us the best of luck. He so intimately knows and loves us that he chose to become one of us.
Listen to the Gospel of Matthew…
“The birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child of the Holy Spirit…An angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Joseph, do not fear to take Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit; she will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:
“Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emman′u-el” (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 borne a son; and he called his name Jesus.”
Let’s pray. Dear Emmanuel - God with us. Help us to appreciate the intimate love you have for us, taking on human flesh to enter our world, and continuing to do so through communion in the Holy Eucharist. Amen.