Christmas Study Guide - Day 9
Part of Christmas Study Guide
November 26, 2021

He Shall Be Called - Day 9

Birth Prophecy: The Messiah will come and be given the name “Immanuel”

Scripture: Read the prophecy – Isaiah 7:14
Read the fulfillment – Matthew 1:23

Jewish parents chose names with meaning for their children. They didn’t just look in a baby name book or pick a popular name. The Christ child was to receive a special name. Immanuel would be His name because the name means God with us. God knew the people He loved needed drastic help. They were dying and without hope unless He intervened. God didn’t send a representative. He didn’t dispatch an angel to go down and work something out. God’s son stepped up and said I will go. I’ll leave heaven and go live among the people I love. I’ll lay down My life as a sacrifice. I’ll take on their sin and the death penalty that rightfully belongs on them.

Most other religions see God as a distant figure. Certainly not one who you approach. Not a God that permits a personal relationship. The name prom- ised to Isaiah in the prophecy and repeated to Mary by the angel signifies a personal God. A God who would come and live with us, experience life as we know it, and who would voluntarily do for us what we could never have done for ourselves.

Q1. God wanted His son to be named Immanuel. At a time when names were chosen because of what they meant, what message was God trying to give to His people through the name of His son?

Q2. Do you think Jesus still wants to be known as Immanuel today? When you pray do you think it would be appropriate to call Him Immanuel?

Q3. Do you feel that God is with you personally or do you feel He is distant? What methods does God use to show us He is with us today?

O come, O come, Immanuel, and ransom captive Israel that mourns in lonely exile here, until the Son of God appear Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel, shall come to thee, O Israel.

PRAYER FOCUS: Dear Lord, Immanuel, thank You for coming to earth to redeem those You love. Thank You for submitting to a death on the cross so that I might have forgiveness of sin. It’s incredible to me when I think that God sees the righteousness of Christ which has been imputed to me because of Your work on the cross. Help me to live each day with the assurance that my sins are gone – remembered no more. Help me to live with the confidence that comes from knowing I have a place in the family of God. I have eternity to praise my blessed Savior who made all the difference for me. Thank you Immanuel for coming to us.