What's So Special About Advent?
The Implications of "God With Us"
"Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).
Matthew 1:23
Advent (meaning "coming" in Latin) is observed in some Christian circles more than others. The days and weeks leading up to Christmas are an opportunity for us to give more attention to why we celebrate. As we imagine what it must have been like to be a believer in the first century AD, having known millennia-old prophecies of the coming of a Savior, we anticipate with our forebears the joy of Immanuel's birth and what it means for all mankind.
A Prophecy and a Promise
Scholars may dispute the actual date of Christ's birth, but Advent's significance is in the fulfillment of God's promise in Genesis. Following Adam's and Eve's sin against God in the Garden of Eden, God reveals that He has a plan for their redemption: He will provide the ultimate sacrifice to satisfy both His righteous judgement and His longing for His creation's restoration. Jesus, the Messiah and member of the Trinity, would willingly give Himself as that sacrifice so we would have a way back into relationship with God.
The name Immanuel, meaning "God with us" has special significance to us in every moment of our lives. It is not only a fulfilled prophecy; it is an underscored promise throughout the Bible, both in the Old and New Testaments:
Are you seeing a pattern here? God has always been with His people, overseeing their provision and protection. But when Jesus was born, God was in the flesh, walking with His created people who could see Him, touch Him, eat with Him, talk with Him, watch His example, learn from Him, and experience His healing.
And it gets better! After Jesus sacrificed His own life, He rose from the dead and appeared to many people over the next 40 days. Ascending into heaven in the flesh, He promised to send another member of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit to inhabit the hearts of believers on His behalf to prove His everlasting presence with them.
At a time in my life when my faith was flailing, I doubted God's presence. This is one of the enemy's primary means of attack: tempting us to believe that God's not there, that He doesn't see or care about what's going on in our lives, and that He doesn't make a difference. Fortunately, God's faithfulness didn't let go of me. He gently helped me grow in the reality that He is always with me, and this, THIS is what provides all of life's comfort – if the God of creation and resurrection is with us, is there anything to be afraid of?
Practicing the Presence of God
The spiritual discipline I needed most during this time of doubt was to rehearse the fact of God's presence. I quoted Isaiah 41:10 many times a day, claiming the gift of faith to believe. Whenever the enemy tempted my thoughts and emotions away from the truth of God's presence, the Holy Spirit helped me to recall God's promise of Immanuel: He is always with me, even in the valley of the shadow of death!
Just as it takes many repetitions to become skillful at anything, whether it be music, art, medicine, engineering, farming, parenting, or communicating, we must continually remind ourselves of (and practice) the ever-presence of our Savior for our souls to be well. Knowing Immanuel will never leave us strengthens our faith for our daily walk and times of crisis.
During this season of expectation, find ways to remind yourself of God's presence. For me, placing written reminders where I can see them helps. You may focus on a Christmas decoration such as a nativity scene to spark your memory of God's promise every time you look at it. Maybe set a reminder on your phone to pause and remember several times a day that you are not alone.
Never Alone
The most amazing reality about Advent is that God wants to be with us! He created us for relationship with Him; He has always walked with those who desire to walk with Him (Genesis 3:8). He is always pursuing us, desiring our company. He literally moved heaven and earth to make this possible!
This year, experience God's presence with a new perspective. You can't outrun HIs great love for you (Romans 8:31-39). There's nothing you can do to earn His favor because Jesus already did that. All that is left is for you and me to lean into Him and enjoy Immanuel: God with us!
"You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore." ~ Psalm 16:11
Subscribe to free weekly articles in your inbox HERE; your information will never be shared. :-)
©2022 Julianne Knapp. First Published 11.29.22
"Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).
Matthew 1:23
Advent (meaning "coming" in Latin) is observed in some Christian circles more than others. The days and weeks leading up to Christmas are an opportunity for us to give more attention to why we celebrate. As we imagine what it must have been like to be a believer in the first century AD, having known millennia-old prophecies of the coming of a Savior, we anticipate with our forebears the joy of Immanuel's birth and what it means for all mankind.
A Prophecy and a Promise
Scholars may dispute the actual date of Christ's birth, but Advent's significance is in the fulfillment of God's promise in Genesis. Following Adam's and Eve's sin against God in the Garden of Eden, God reveals that He has a plan for their redemption: He will provide the ultimate sacrifice to satisfy both His righteous judgement and His longing for His creation's restoration. Jesus, the Messiah and member of the Trinity, would willingly give Himself as that sacrifice so we would have a way back into relationship with God.
The name Immanuel, meaning "God with us" has special significance to us in every moment of our lives. It is not only a fulfilled prophecy; it is an underscored promise throughout the Bible, both in the Old and New Testaments:
- "Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." ~ Joshua 1:9b
- "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God;
- I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." ~ Isaiah 41:10
- "Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” ~ Deuteronomy 31:6
- “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” ~ Hebrews 13:5
- Jesus Himself: "And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” ~ Matthew 28:20
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Are you seeing a pattern here? God has always been with His people, overseeing their provision and protection. But when Jesus was born, God was in the flesh, walking with His created people who could see Him, touch Him, eat with Him, talk with Him, watch His example, learn from Him, and experience His healing.
And it gets better! After Jesus sacrificed His own life, He rose from the dead and appeared to many people over the next 40 days. Ascending into heaven in the flesh, He promised to send another member of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit to inhabit the hearts of believers on His behalf to prove His everlasting presence with them.
At a time in my life when my faith was flailing, I doubted God's presence. This is one of the enemy's primary means of attack: tempting us to believe that God's not there, that He doesn't see or care about what's going on in our lives, and that He doesn't make a difference. Fortunately, God's faithfulness didn't let go of me. He gently helped me grow in the reality that He is always with me, and this, THIS is what provides all of life's comfort – if the God of creation and resurrection is with us, is there anything to be afraid of?
Practicing the Presence of God
The spiritual discipline I needed most during this time of doubt was to rehearse the fact of God's presence. I quoted Isaiah 41:10 many times a day, claiming the gift of faith to believe. Whenever the enemy tempted my thoughts and emotions away from the truth of God's presence, the Holy Spirit helped me to recall God's promise of Immanuel: He is always with me, even in the valley of the shadow of death!
Just as it takes many repetitions to become skillful at anything, whether it be music, art, medicine, engineering, farming, parenting, or communicating, we must continually remind ourselves of (and practice) the ever-presence of our Savior for our souls to be well. Knowing Immanuel will never leave us strengthens our faith for our daily walk and times of crisis.
During this season of expectation, find ways to remind yourself of God's presence. For me, placing written reminders where I can see them helps. You may focus on a Christmas decoration such as a nativity scene to spark your memory of God's promise every time you look at it. Maybe set a reminder on your phone to pause and remember several times a day that you are not alone.
Never Alone
The most amazing reality about Advent is that God wants to be with us! He created us for relationship with Him; He has always walked with those who desire to walk with Him (Genesis 3:8). He is always pursuing us, desiring our company. He literally moved heaven and earth to make this possible!
This year, experience God's presence with a new perspective. You can't outrun HIs great love for you (Romans 8:31-39). There's nothing you can do to earn His favor because Jesus already did that. All that is left is for you and me to lean into Him and enjoy Immanuel: God with us!
"You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore." ~ Psalm 16:11
Subscribe to free weekly articles in your inbox HERE; your information will never be shared. :-)
©2022 Julianne Knapp. First Published 11.29.22