“All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: ‘The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel’ (which means ‘God with us’).” -Matthew 1:22-23

More than 700 years before the birth of Jesus, a king and his people were shaking like a leaf. Two kingdoms threatened an attack on Judah and tried to force King Ahaz into an alliance against Assyria. Prompted by the Lord, Isaiah told King Ahaz to not let his heart grow faint.

“‘Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. He will be eating curds and honey when he knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right, for before the boy knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right, the land of the two kings you dread will be laid waste.” -Isaiah 7:14-16

Immanuel. God with us. Why should Ahaz fear earthly kings when the King of Kings declared He would with him?

Joseph was likely full of fear as well when he learned that his beloved bride was pregnant. He might have fretted over how to deal with this situation in a way that still maintained his and Mary’s honor.

As he settled on a quiet divorce, an angel appeared to him and told him, “‘… do not be afraid … (Matthew 1:20).’” The child in Mary’s womb was Immanuel.

The God who decimated cities, defeated armies, split seas, and rained down fire would be with Joseph and Mary in the flesh. God, who had been silent for 400 years, was coming.

The Lord can seem so distant in life’s toughest seasons. Sometimes, all anyone wants is to know that God is there, listening and caring. Joseph was going through a storm himself when he received this most comforting news. God would be with him, and he had no reason to be afraid.

Ahaz didn’t trust this promise, but Joseph did. He stayed with Mary and welcomed a baby into the world.

What’s truly amazing is that the promise of God with us didn’t end when Jesus’ physical body left the Earth; it remains to this day.

“‘And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’” -Matthew 28:20b

As believers go into the world, share the story of Christmas and Jesus’ life, and make disciples of all nations, Jesus promises to still be Immanuel, God with us. Jesus is with us forever.