The nation of Israel was divided into two parts after King Solomon died because of the rebellion against the King that replaced him. Ten tribes became the northern part of Israel—named Israel. Two tribes became the southern part of Israel—named Judah. The northern part of Israel established their own King so as the southern kingdom, and they were at war. During the prophecy 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, which means God with us," the King of Israel together with two allied kings threatened to destroy the southern kingdom. The King of the southern kingdom was terrified, but the prophet Isaiah told the southern King that God would not allow the northern kingdom and his allies to destroy his kingdom. God gave him the prophecy about the virgin birth as an assurance that the invasion would not happen. God fulfilled His promise to the southern kingdom that two years after the prophecy, the two allied kingdoms were destroyed, and the Assyrian empire sacked the northern kingdom. However, the prophecy of the virgin birth in regard to our Lord Jesus did not happen centuries later.
When God gave the prophecy to the southern kingdom, they were in a very troubled time. The King was terrified because they were outnumbered and probably outgunned. However, God intervened, and they were saved. Centuries later, when the angel Gabriel told Mary that she would have a child and that she would call the baby Jesus and Immanuel, the world was desperate for a Savior. We were hopeless and helpless to save ourselves from our sins. We were in darkness and had no hope. However, when Jesus was born, God brought hope into our world. A Savior that would save us from our sins through His death on the cross and His resurrection.
Let us remember the meaning of Christmas this Christmas season. Jesus was born to give us hope for our salvation. God brought the light into our darkness so that we could live in the light and not in darkness. Do not let the business and stress of this season forget the reason Jesus was born. We will continue our study of the book Psalms in January.
Ask yourself these questions for application: (Think through carefully and meditate on the questions while answering them, and let the Spirit of God speak to you). What does Immanuel mean? Why did Jesus was born? What is the meaning of Christmas?
Write down all the worries you face today and lift them up to God.
Prayer:
Father in Heaven, thank you for sending your Son to be our Savior. Would you please help me not to forget the very meaning of Christmas? You brought hope into this world when Jesus was born. Please do not let the business and worries of this season overcome the meaning of Christmas in my heart and mind. Lord Jesus, you are the meaning of Christmas. In your name, Lord Jesus, I pray. Amen.