“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone…For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder…of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.”

Isaiah 9:2, 6-7

Immanuel. God is with us. When tend to think of this name given to Jesus at Christmas, because Matthew calls Jesus “Immanuel” in his birth account (Matt. 1:23). But that was not the first time this name showed up in Scripture. Immanuel was a name with rich history and deep meaning for the people of God.

Matthew was quoting the prophet Isaiah, who lived during a dark season in the history of God’s people. It was a time full of fear. The kings of Judah had turned their backs on God because they didn’t think he was mighty enough to save them from their enemies who were pressing in on all sides. They were facing the certainty of exile. They were a people walking in darkness, full of doubts, turmoil and fear. 

Into this setting, God gave these words through Isaiah: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel” (Isaiah 7:14). Immanuel. God is with us in the darkness. God is with us in the doubts and turmoil. God is with us in the fear. 

He didn’t leave us alone in the darkness. God sent us Immanuel, the light of the world, to bear the weight of the governance of our world upon his shoulders. Our hearts are crying out for rescue. From the moment that God looked into the distraught face of Eve and made her a promise that one day her son would rise up and defend her against the serpent, creation has been waiting for this King. The weight of the world has been heavy on us. It is too much for us to bear. God heard our cries and sent Immanuel to carry that weight. He rules in justice and righteousness and ushers in his legacy of peace. And he shall reign forever and ever.

Our world today feels a lot like Isaiah’s did all those years ago. Our hearts are darkened by fear, unrest, and doubts. We long for justice and righteousness. We feel hard pressed on every side and we are looking for rescue and healing from vaccines, political policies, and elected rulers. Like the people of God in Isaiah’s day, we feel surrounded. These words from Isaiah are for us too. Medical advancements and political leaders can do great good. But they can never be Immanuel to us. 

God made us a promise to rescue and redeem us from this broken world. That promise was fulfilled when Immanuel put on flesh and was born to a young woman who named him Jesus. To us, a child was born. To us a son was given. The Father gave his precious and only Son to a darkened world, so that he might bring light and life to all of us. Though his kingdom has not yet come in all its fullness, his reign has begun in those who have made room for him in their hearts. To those who embrace him as King, he is a wonderful Counselor, a mighty God, an everlasting Father and the Prince of peace. 

This advent season, what would it look like for you to make room for Immanuel in your life? We start by admitting the doubts and fears that threaten to undo us. We grieve the darkness in our hearts and in the world around us. We acknowledge the other “rulers” we have run to for rescue and admit that they cannot ultimately save us from our greatest enemy: death and separation from God. 

Then we make room. We make space in our lives for reflection. We remember what Jesus has done for us and who he longs to be to us. We prepare a place in our hearts to receive him and all the gifts he brings. We welcome his reign in our lives and embrace him as our rightful King—the One who has crushed death under his wounded feet. 

With that in mind, we lift our voices and sing: 

“Joy to the world! The Lord is come. 

Let earth receive her King! 

Let every heart prepare him room.”