Therefore the Lord himself will give you this sign: the virgin shall be with child, and bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel.” – Isaiah 7:14
All this happened to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin shall be with child and give birth to a son, and they shall call him “Emmanuel,” a name which means “God is with us” – Matthew 1:23
OUR DESTINY IN GOD’S EYES:
From our brief survey of God’s involvement with His people so far, we have seen that Scripture offers us many windows into God’s heart. There are many promises and events that signal clearly who God is in relationship to us. The Book of Genesis described the very special relationship that God established with creation and in particular with humans. In a pithy statement the author grasped the awesome mystery that a human person is: “God created man in his image, in the divine image he created him, male and female he created them (Genesis 1:27).” Centuries later, God reveals the deeper layers of this wondrous mystery that is our identity. Through Jesus Christ we have been made sons and daughters of the Living God, able to call Jesus, our brother, and God, our Father. In God’s eyes we belong to God’s own house and lineage; in God’s heart, we are his sons and daughters bought by the blood of his son, Jesus Christ.
GOD’S PASSIONATE COMMITMENT TO US:
We have also seen that the history of God’s people is replete with rebellion and infidelity. Some incidents are absolutely shocking, like the absolute commitment to evil on the part of Sodom and Gomorrah, or the idolatry of 3000 Israelites under the leadership of Aaron when they worshiped the Golden Calf. This incident is especially revolting in light of the powerful saving event of the Exodus. In spite of God’s unwavering fidelity, the Israelites renege repeatedly on their promises. They embrace sin and idolatry and abandon God. Had God abandoned His covenantal love and promises, such a decision would have been fully justified.
The prophets, however, tell us another story. In vivid detail they portray God’s decision to be ever faithful and solicitous towards the people. “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name: you are mine. When you pass through the water, I will be with you; in the rivers you shall not drown. When you walk through fire, you shall not be burned; the flames shall not consume you. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your savior (Isaiah 43: 1-3).” Redeemer in Hebrew is goel, a kinsperson who frees a family member from slavery and suffering by taking his place (refer to Leviticus 25). In this passage, therefore, God sees Himself as a family member, bringing redemption to his family members by taking upon himself their enslavement. This prophecy is especially fulfilled in Jesus, who through his incarnation became a member of our human family and brought salvation to us by taking upon himself the burden and shame of our sins. There will never be limits to God’s passion and love for us. Even in our worst trials and tribulations, many of our own making, God will be with us because our God is the Holy One of Israel, our savior.
GOD AMONG US:
God’s love and compassion are best expressed in Jesus becoming human and identifying with us in all things, except sin. John tells us that, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we have seen his glory: the glory of an only Son coming from the Father filled with enduring love (John 1:14).” The word for ‘dwelling’ is ‘shekinah,’ the same term that was used for the Ark of the Covenant or dwelling place of God among His people during their travels towards the Promised Land. In the same way Jesus dwells among us.
Matthew uses a very moving title ‘Emmanuel,’ to describe God’s compassionate intimacy toward us. God could not have become more immanent to us than by becoming one of us. “The virgin shall be with child and give birth to a son, and they shall call him Emmanuel,” a name which means “God is with us (Matthew 1: 23).”
There are three images that help us appreciate the significance of Jesus as God among us. There is the understanding of Jesus as goel or kinsperson. Through his death on the cross Jesus paid our ransom, freed us from slavery to sin, and made us children of the Living God. Paul evokes this image in his letter to the Philippians, 2: 7-8: “He emptied himself and took the form of a slave... obediently accepting even death, death on a cross!” And John describes Jesus as identifying himself as a non-Jewish slave when he washes the feet of his disciples, as only non-Jewish slaves washed the feet of the invited guests (chapter 13). Through this gesture Jesus was capturing the significance of his journey to Calvary and his impending crucifixion and death. The last image is offered by John the Baptist who refers to Jesus as ‘the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29)!’ John is referring to the Feast of Atonement or Yom Kippur. Jesus is the scapegoat taking upon himself our transgressions to ensure our freedom (refer to Leviticus 16: 1-22). During Eucharist we invoke Jesus as the Lamb of God beseeching him to take away our sins before we receive him in Holy Communion.
Jesus will forever be with us, a reality that can be deeply cherished while never being fully grasped. Paul expresses eloquently the ultimate purpose God had in asking Jesus to be our Savior and Lord. “God chose us in him before the world began, to be holy and blameless in his sight, to be full of love; he likewise predestined us through Christ Jesus to be his adopted sons – such was his will and pleasure – that all might praise the glorious favor he has bestowed on us in his beloved” (Ephesians 1: 4-6).
GOD AMONG US AT CHRISTMAS:
The infancy narratives of Matthew and Luke give us a deep insight into how God understands what it means for Jesus to be Emmanuel. Jesus came for the salvation of sinners. Jesus is very comfortable among the poor and lowly of this world. Mary, his mother will be a virgin, of lowly and humble estate. In her Canticle she proclaims herself as “his servant in her lowliness.” And she praises God that “he upheld Israel his servant, ever mindful of his mercy (Luke 1:46-55).” Jesus was born in a stable, and his first visitors were shepherds, the have-nots and side-lined of society. Wise men came to visit Jesus from the East and they were Gentiles. And the reactions of Anna and Simeon provide much consolation and hope. Anna, the prophetess “gave thanks to God and talked about the child to all who looked forward to the deliverance of Jerusalem (Luke 2:38).” And Simeon the prophet can now die in peace: “Now, Master, you can dismiss your servant in peace; you have fulfilled your word. For my eyes have witnessed your saving deed displayed for all the peoples to see: a revealing light to the Gentiles, the glory of your people Israel. (Luke 2:29-32)”
HELPFUL ATTITUDES FOR PRAYER:
· Redeemer in Hebrew is goel, a kinsperson who frees a family member from slavery and suffering by taking his place (refer to Leviticus 25).
· This prophecy is especially fulfilled in Jesus, who through his incarnation became a member of our human family and brought salvation to us by taking upon himself the burden and shame of our sins.
· There will never be limits to God’s passion and love for us. God will go to any limit to save us. God will be with us when we pass through the water, as God was present when the Israelites passed through the Red Sea.
· “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we have seen his glory: the glory of an only Son coming from the Father filled with enduring love (John 1:14).” The word for ‘dwelling’ is ‘shekinah,’ the same term that was used for the Ark of the Covenant or dwelling place of God among His people during their travels towards the Promised Land. In the same way Jesus dwells among us.
· Matthew uses a very moving title ‘Emmanuel,’ to describe God’s compassionate intimacy toward us. God could not have become more immanent to us than by becoming one of us.
· John describes Jesus as identifying himself as a non-Jewish slave when he washes the feet of his disciples, as only non-Jewish slaves washed the feet of the invited guests (chapter 13). Through this gesture Jesus was capturing the significance of his journey to Calvary and his impending crucifixion and death.
· John the Baptist refers to Jesus as ‘the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29)!’ John is referring to the feast of Atonement or Yom Kippur. Jesus is the scapegoat who takes upon himself our sinful faults and transgressions to ensure our freedom (refer to Leviticus 16: 1-22).
GUIDELINES FOR PRAYER:
- Be faithful to your time of prayer, and make it between 20 and 30 minutes daily.
- Begin every prayer session with an earnest prayer to the Holy Spirit like the one I have composed for you: Come, Holy Spirit, and overshadow me with your gentle wisdom and power as I endeavor to sit at the feet of Jesus during this period of prayer. Purify my mind and heart as I seek to make the teachings of Jesus my priority in life, thinking, speaking and doing as He desires. You are the keeper of my soul, leading me into God’s heart. May I be docile and submissive to your wisdom and guidance. May my life be a pleasing offering in your sight. Amen.
- Take one of the passages suggested for prayer. During the week you might want to ponder the question, “What does it mean for you to know Jesus as Emmanuel, God-with-us?”
- Lastly, during your prayer make sure you also address God directly and listen for the Holy Spirit’s responses.
- You can end your prayer with the following: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, I thank you for your gracious companionship. I praise you for being my Creator, Savior and Lord. May I take your blessings to my day, and may your presence envelop and permeate all my thoughts and actions. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
PASSAGES FOR PRAYER:
Leviticus 25: 47-55: Redemption of a slave
Isaiah 43: 1-8: Promise of Redemption and Restoration
Matthew 1: 18-23: The Birth of Jesus
Luke 1: 26-38: Announcement of the Birth of Jesus
Luke 1: 46-55: Mary’s Canticle
Luke 2: 1-20: The Birth of Jesus
John 1: 29-37: John’s Testimony to Jesus
John 13: 1-17: The Washing of the Feet
SPIRITUAL READING:
The Imitation of Christ:
After the Bible, this classic is the most widely read. There are four books and 114 chapters in all. You could savor this book three times over if you read a single chapter each day of the retreat. For this week the following chapters might be useful:
Book III: Of Inner Comfort:
Chapter 51: That we must perform Humble works when we are unable to perform Higher Ones
Chapter 53: That God’s Grace does not mix with the Wisdom of the World
Chapter 56: That we should turn from Ourselves and imitate Christ by way of the Cross
SCRIPTURAL READING:
The Bible:
It would be even more important for you to become familiar with the Bible, especially with the New Testament. Similarly, beginning with the New Testament you can choose to read a few chapters on a daily basis, and/or the ones recommended during this week.
Old Testament:
Leviticus: Chapters 16, 25
New Testament:
Ephesians and Philippians
The Infancy narratives in Matthew and Luke
JOURNALING:
- Journal for a few minutes daily about your experience with God in prayer and during the day.
- Your journal will help you with your sharing in spiritual direction
- Gradually patterns of insights, themes, consolations, and resistance to God’s promptings will emerge.
- Your journal will help you appreciate the Holy Spirit’s action in your being.
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