A Christmas Rescue
“…And they shall call his name Immanuel (which means, God with us).” Matthew 1:23
Arguably the most popular Advent hymn is O Come, O Come, Emmanuel. With origins in the 12th century, this well-known song apparently first appeared in print in 1610 and has been a staple of the season ever since.
What is it? What is it about? It is an explanation of Matthew 1:23, which is itself a quotation of Isaiah 7:14: “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”
Complicated? Not really. For the coming of the Christ was foretold by the prophets throughout the Old Testament. And when Jesus was born in Bethlehem, those prophesies were fulfilled.
Who was Jesus? Immanuel. God With Us. God Himself become man.
Why? Well, the hymn explains it: “To ransom captive Israel that mourns in lonely exile here.” In other words, God became man in Jesus Christ to offer Himself to the Father on the cross as payment for the sins not only of Israel, but of all mankind. That payment being made, man no longer would need to live apart from God, but could live with God, in union and communion and fellowship with Him.
So what is Christmas but a divine rescue mission? God undertaking the task of freeing us from our bondage, our enslavement, to sin?
So the season of Advent is all about the fact that God promised to do this, to rescue us from sin and death and the devil. And in Jesus Christ, that is what He did.
The problem? The world does not know it needs to be rescued. Or does not think it needs to be. So from now until December 25th the world will celebrate “the most wonderful time of the year” as it ramps up for Christmas. From South Africa, to China, to Portugal to Minnesota, garland will be hung, plastic Reindeer taken out of storage, and lights strung here and there.
Why? Well, as another song goes, the world “needs a little Christmas, right this very minute,” or in other words, the world needs to have a way somehow to forget its troubles, its sorrows, and its fears. And a party of any sort can help with that.
But the true solution to those troubles and sorrows and fears is not a month-long party, but in Immanuel, in God With Us, in Jesus. And the birth of Jesus is not so much a reason “to party” as it is to be profoundly moved, to be humbled, to be overwhelmed, that our Creator would save us in such a way: with a baby, born in a stable and placed in a manger.
So in another hymn (Lo, how a rose e’er blooming) our rescue at Christmas is compared to the appearance of a small flower, a flower which appears and causes us to stop, and look, and be astounded at what is before us. Who could do that? Who could create such a wonder? What is it really?
Immanuel, God With Us, our Lord and Savior Jesus.