Read Isaiah 7:14

I will never forget the moment I learned I was going to be an aunt! Every day leading up to the birth of my first niece, I was preparing myself to be the greatest aunt that has ever lived. I started purchasing baby clothes, baby socks, baby bibs, baby shoes, baby toys, and I even made a baby blanket (keep in mind, I am by no means a seamstress). There was so much excitement and anticipation that I literally could’ve burst at any moment. But nothing, absolutely nothing, beat the joy I had when we got the phone call that she was here and we could come meet her! My life changed the moment I held her in my arms and looked into those big, blue eyes.

Isn’t it amazing how someone’s life, no matter how long we’ve known them, can make such a significant difference in our lives? As we approach the day to celebrate the birth of our Savior, I can’t help but imagine how thrilling it must have been for those who knew the power and life change that would come with that unexpected, yet highly anticipated, baby boy.

“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” 

Whoa! This simple verse that we read every Christmas season is jam packed with incredible promise…there was promise that the Lord himself would send a sign, that a miracle would occur through a virgin birth, and that this baby would be called Immanuel. As if the buildup wasn’t enough, the verse ends with a name that would transform mankind for all eternity:

Immanuel.

Immanuel means “God with us”. The many years prior to this moment, people had heard from God and experienced Him in supernatural ways, but in this verse, Isaiah tells us that the same God that the Israelites had known all those years before would soon come in the flesh. God Almighty would be genuinely with us, choosing to experience life on earth as fully man and still fully God. Seriously, what an unbelievably exciting time to watch God lay out His intricate plan of salvation for every person!

Today, we are living in that reality of having confidence in our salvation through Christ’s death and resurrection. So, as we inch closer to Christmas day, take a moment to thank God for His plan to send Jesus and for how Jesus’ life has changed yours!

Becca Harbaugh