Merry Christmas to you from all of us here at the Gospel Blog! We hope that your cup is running over with blessings today!
We’re celebrating Jesus’ birth into the world — the remarkable time when God condescended to human form and sacrificed Himself for His sinful creation.
We get a prophecy of Jesus’ birth in Isaiah 7:14 (and 2 Nephi 17:14):
“Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”
Matthew 1:22-23 explains what the name “Immanuel” means:
“Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.”
Today, we celebrate a time when God was physically present on Earth — with us! He was here … right here with us. Even though we can no longer see and experience His corporeal form, that doesn’t mean we’re alone.
Here are some beautiful verses to remind us all that Jesus Christ was, is, and ever will be Immanuel.
God is with us — and within us: “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16)
God is with us in the good times: “And the Lord was with us; and we did prosper exceedingly; for we did sow seed, and we did reap again in abundance.” (2 Nephi 5:11)
God is with us when we stand against enemies: “Behold our God is with us, and he will not suffer that we should fall.” (Alma 56:46)
God is with us when we are afraid and anxious: “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” (Isaiah 41:10)
God is with us when we need protection and safety: “The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.” (Psalm 46:7)
God will continue to be with us into the future: “Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” (Matthew 28:20)
May these scriptures fill your heart and soul today!
And … we couldn’t resist, here’s a little something to make you smile from your Gospel Blog columnists. We love you and wish you God’s very best (from our little Christmas village).
This article has undergone ministry review and approval.
Merry Christmas to all of you and your families!! Thank you for making the Gospel Blog the success that it is. May God continue to bless all your efforts and know you make a difference!!