Sunday, 12 December 2021
Title: Immanuel
By Elder Yu Chin Shie
Matthew 1:22-23
All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel”
Today is the 3rd Sunday of Advent, a period of a month before Christmas when Christians around the world spend time to prepare their hearts and mind to celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus on Christmas Day and look forward to His Second Coming. Advent is a time of self reflection, meditation, reading of the bible on the life of Christ and prayers.
Often, we are so preoccupied with our daily chores, commitments and shopping during the Christmas season that we neglect to prepare our hearts to welcome our Savior on His birthday.
I like us to meditate on a wonderful name given to Jesus during this last 2 weeks before Christmas.
There are many other names or titles given to Jesus in the bible, like – Messiah, Prince of Peace, Son of Man, Redeemer, Immanuel, Christ, Lord of lords, Son of God, Savior and Our Lord.
The one name which I find most comforting of all names given to Jesus, esp. during Christmas time, is the name Immanuel which is literally translated as “God with us”.
One of my favorite Christmas carols is “O Come, O Come, Immanuel” because of the deep longing and hope it expresses for Jesus’ Second Coming.
The four Advent Sundays are often celebrated by four themes which remind us of the message of Christmas – hope, love, joy and peace.
Today being the 3rd Advent Sunday, the theme is Joy.
Let’s reflect on the joy that Christ, our Immanuel, came to give.
On the night of Jesus’ birth, an angel of the Lord appeared to the shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night and proclaimed, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:10-11
We celebrate Christmas with joy because Jesus came as Savior to save mankind from its sins and sin’s consequences. The consequences of sin are man’s separation from God (spiritual death), physical death and judgement after death. On the cross, Jesus bore our sins and paid for what we deserved. All who profess faith in Him will have victory over sin, abundant life on earth and eternal life when we leave this world.
That is why the angel said the news of Jesus’ birth would bring great joy for all people. The joyful celebration would be universal. People around the globe would be glad for this event.
Another good reason to be joyful is because Jesus, our Immanuel, is with us. The God who created the universe and is all powerful is also our Heavenly Father. He has promised He will be with us always (Matthew 28:20) and will never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).
Hence whatever the situation we are in due to the impact of the Covid pandemic on our health, employment, businesses, relationship and other challenges, we can be confident He will be with us to protect us, comfort us, guide us, provide for us and heal us. He will give us peace and joy in the midst of challenges through His Word and His Spirit in us.
As we reflect during this Advent period on Jesus, Immanuel – God being with us, let’s ask the question: “How would our lives be different if we begin and end each day with the firm belief that God is with us?”
Prayer –
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for the gift of Jesus, our Immanuel, the Word made flesh. We rejoice that Jesus has come on Christmas Day as Savior of the world. We pray many will come to know Him as their Savior and Lord this Christmas and will be blessed with His presence in their lives for all eternity.
In Jesus name,
Amen
班底浸信教会
每日灵粮
2021 年 12 月 12星期日
主题：以马内利
作者：余清熹长老
翻译：林良億姐妹
马太福音 1:22-23
22 这一切的事成就，是要应验主借先知所说的话说： 23 “必有童女怀孕生子，人要称他的名为以马内利。”（“以马内利”翻出来就是“神与我们同在”。）
今天是将临期的第三个主日，就是圣诞节前一个月的时间，全世界的基督徒都花时间预备他们的心思意念，在圣诞节庆祝我们的救主耶稣的诞生，并期待祂的第二次来临。降临期是自我反省、沉思、阅读有关基督生平的圣经和祈祷的时间。
我们通常在圣诞节期间全神贯注于日常琐事、承诺和购物，以至于我们忽略了准备好我们的心在祂的生日那天迎接我们的救主。
我希望我们在圣诞节前的最后两周，默想耶稣的美妙名字。
圣经中还有许多其他的名字或头衔给耶稣基督，例如弥赛亚、和平之君、人子、救赎主、以马内利、基督、万主之主、神子、救主和我们的主。
尤其是在圣诞节期间，我觉得耶稣的所有名字中，最令人欣慰的是以马内利这个名字，直译为 “上帝与我们同在”。
我最喜欢的圣诞颂歌之一是《以马内利，恳求降临》，因为它表达了对耶稣第二次降临的深深渴望和希望。
四个降临节主日通常由四个主题来庆祝，这些主题提醒我们圣诞节的信息——希望、爱、欢乐与和平。
今天是第三个降临节主日，主题是喜乐。
让我们反思我们的以马内利基督所带来的喜乐。
在耶稣诞生的那个晚上，主的一位天使向野外的牧羊人显现，夜间看守他们的羊群，并宣布说：“10 那天使对他们说：不要惧怕！我报给你们大喜的信息，是关乎万民的；
11 因今天在大卫的城里，为你们生了救主，就是主基督。” （路加福音 2:10-11）
我们喜乐地庆祝圣诞节，因为耶稣作为救主来拯救人们脱离罪恶和罪恶的后果。罪的后果是人与上帝隔绝（灵命上的死亡）、肉体的死亡和死后的审判。在十字架上，耶稣基督担当了我们的罪，并为我们应得的付出了代价。当我们离开这个世界时，所有自称相信祂的人都将战胜罪恶，在地上获得丰盛的生命和永生。
这就是为什么天使说耶稣诞生的消息会为所有人带来极大的喜乐。欢乐的庆祝将是普遍的。世界各地的人们都会为这庆典感到高兴。
另一个喜乐的理由是因为主耶稣，我们的以马内利与我们同在。创造宇宙的全能神也是我们的天父。祂应许会永远与我们同在（马太福音 28:20），永不离弃我们，也不丢弃我们（希伯来书 13:5）。
因此，无论我们因疫情对我们的健康、就业、业务、关系和其他挑战的影响而处于何种情况，我们都可以相信祂会与我们同在，保护我们、安慰我们、引导我们、供应我们并治愈我们。借着祂的话语和祂在我们里面的灵，祂会在挑战中赐给我们平安和喜乐。
当我们在这个降临节期间反思关于耶稣以马内利– 神与我们同在时，让我们问一个问题：“如果我们每天开始和结束时都坚信上帝与我们同在，我们的生活会有什么不同呢？”
祷告——
天父，感谢祢赐下耶稣，我们的以马内利，道成肉身。我们为主耶稣基督在圣诞节作为救主降临而欢欣鼓舞。我们祈祷许多人能在这个圣诞节认识祂并接受他为个人救主，并在他们的生命中永远与祂同在。诚心感谢是奉主耶稣的圣名。阿们。