Immanuel/Contentment
“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:14
The world tells us that we need “more” this Christmas season. We need more presents under the tree, more lights on the house, more perfectly staged family gatherings. If you spend any time on the internet or television this week, you will be bombarded with the demand that you simply need more.
But Isaiah 7:14 reminds us of something far richer: the child born to Mary would be called Immanuel, meaning “God with us.” This is one of my favorite truths of the Advent season. Through preaching, Bible study, and song, we hear again and again that God is with us. After 400 years of silence, the birth of Jesus meant that God was no longer distant—He was present with His people in the person of Christ.
As believers in Christ, we have the promise of the Holy Spirit’s active presence in our lives, leading us, guiding us, correcting us. God is constantly with us through the Holy Spirit. How comforting to know that no matter what hard things we go through in this life, we have the promise of His presence with us.
This connected so well with our Hebrews text last week. Hebrews 13:5 says, “ Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.” The Greek word for “content” in that verse means “to be sufficient.” This verse addresses the temptation to put our trust in worldly treasures. The author of Hebrews encourages us to instead, be content with what we have. And what do we have? We have His presence; the unshakable promise that He is with us. The verse goes on to quote part of Joshua 1:5, when God promises to be with Joshua, just like he was with Moses.
The author of Hebrews is saying not to be content with worldly things, but to be content because His presence is with us. God is with us - Immanuel.
Can you find contentment this Advent season not in the gifts or family gatherings, but in His presence with you? Let the peace of knowing God is with you and He will never leave you nor forsake you be sufficient this Advent season.
-Andrea Shustella (Covenant Member)