Matthew 1:23 “Look! The virgin will conceive and bear a son, and they will call him Emmanuel,” which means “God with us.”
“God with us” is not merely the promise of the birth of Christ, but even more the promise of Him taking up eternal residence with His people! In the final book, as New Jerusalem – the bride of Christ – is revealed, it is written:
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth …And I saw the holy city – the new Jerusalem – descending out of heaven from God, made ready like a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying: “Look! The residence of God is among people. He will live among them, and they will be His, and God Himself will be with them. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death will no longer exist – nor mourning, nor crying, nor pain, for the former things have ceased to exist.” (Revelation 21:1-4)
This is the crescendo of His birth: God dwelling among His people … forever! We will become His bride: the holy city in which He resides! “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death will no longer exist – nor mourning, nor crying, nor pain.” For this moment we now wait with great expectancy!
May this promise of all promises fill your heart with exceeding joy this Christmas!