Join me for 4 December weeks of HOPE! Today is brought to you by the letter E.
E is for. . .
. . . Emmanuel
“God with us” (“Emmanuel” = translation of Greek; “Immanuel” = translation of Hebrew)
Prophesy in Isaiah: “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 ESV)
Prophecy fulfilled in Matthew when the angel tells Joseph that Mary’s child is the one spoken of in Isaiah, so Joseph should marry her without fear, because it is from God (Matthew 1:23)
. . . Everlasting
“And his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6b ESV)
. . . Everyone
Simeon declared as he beheld Jesus: “for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for the glory to your people Israel.” (Luke 2:30-32 ESV)
. . . Eternal Life
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16 ESV)
“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.” (John 5:24 ESV)
“I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.” (1 John 5:13 ESV)
. . . Easter
When the “magic” of Christmas is over, look ahead with excitement, because the Christmas story isn’t over!
Because Christmas points to Easter, and Jesus saved us forever on Easter.
Just as with His birth, Christ’s resurrection is foretold in the Old Testament:
- “Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.” (Isaiah 53:10 ESV)
- “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 9:7 ESV)
In the Scriptures foretelling Christ as Savior and Redeemer, we read that His days will not be over, but instead He will reign forever. This is what we celebrate on Easter.
Merry Christmas!
