Who said it, I am not sure. But this striking comparison is good for us to consider: “If the sun in the sky had left its sphere and suddenly become a wandering atom or molecule, or if the brightest angel had come out of high heaven and suddenly become a common housefly, that could not even come close to equaling the incomprehensible miracle of the incarnation—God’s Son becoming flesh and blood!”

Immanuel in the cradle

Joseph was told in no unmistakable terms that the child in Mary’s womb was from its conception most remarkable. With reference to Isaiah’s prophecy (Isaiah 7:14), the angel informed Mary’s fiancé that this new life was God Himself wrapped in human flesh! That word Immanuel, “God with us,” means that we have a Savior who came in the Bethlehem cradle with insuperable powers. Divine power alone is what it took to overcome the damage caused by our sins; to convincingly defeat the hold put on humanity by the prince of darkness; and to free us from the bondage of death. Thank God, we so much have Him with us, that He takes on our flesh in the cradle! Can there be any doubt such a substitute sustains our victory?

Immanuel in the Supper

Christmas is a logical time for us to think also about the Holy Supper. What better place for us to look today to find our true Immanuel, “God with us”? Our Lord Jesus’ true body and blood, the same poured out and impaled on the cross for our redemption, is offered to us now in Holy Communion. Truly, this is how our God comes to us and is with us in a very special way, for here He presents to our souls forgiveness of sins.

Want a meaningful Christmas? As we consider “God with us” in the lowly nativity at the stable, may we not only ponder but partake of “God with us,” our Immanuel Savior, in the heavenly meal He instituted for our spiritual edification. Can there be any doubt that such an Immanuel sustains our souls?

“What sweet comfort this is that the Son of God, our Savior, joins himself to us and deals with us not with his bare deity…but in the same substance with us, his members” (Martin Chemnitz, Two Natures, p. 472).

Have a truly blessed celebration of our Immanuel’s birth!

John Moldstad is president of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod.