Immanuel

We know that name (Matt 1:23). "God with us." It was the divine name given to Jesus before His birth. It would be the explanation of His life on earth. God with us.

At Christmas time it's particularly moving to realize.

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, He humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross (Phil 2:5-8).

God, in the flesh. God with us. What we often forget is that He didn't have to do it. God was under no obligation to save His creation. We weren't so lovable that He was overcome with us and just had to act. It was a voluntary act on the part of the Son out of His own good will toward us.

Another thing that is often missed here. We tend to think that it was "Plan B", that the first idea was a perfect existence, but Adam blew that plan, so God came up with a new one -- His Son would become flesh and live among us, dying on our behalf. But the Word tells us that it was the original plan, that it was all planned out before time began (Titus 1:1-2).

So we're celebrating now this remarkable event where Christ -- God -- cloaked His glory, took on flesh, and made Himself Immanuel -- God with us. He endured the same temptations we do, suffered the cross on our behalf, and lives in us today. Immanuel.