Advent at Home: O Come, O Come Immanuel
Bible Readings
Take a few minutes to read the Bible verses listed and ask the Holy Spirit to lead you in how this verse applies to you this week.
18 This is how Jesus Christ was born. A young woman named Mary was engaged to Joseph from King David's family. But before they were married, she learned that she was going to have a baby by God's Holy Spirit. 19 Joseph was a good man and did not want to embarrass Mary in front of everyone. So he decided to quietly call off the wedding. 20 While Joseph was thinking about this, an angel from the Lord appeared to him in a dream. The angel said, “Joseph, the baby that Mary will have is from the Holy Spirit. Go ahead and marry her. 21 Then after her baby is born, name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” 22 So the Lord's promise came true, just as the prophet had said, 23 “A virgin will have a baby boy, and he will be called Immanuel,” which means “God is with us.” 24 After Joseph woke up, he and Mary were soon married, just as the Lord's angel had told him to do. 25 But they did not sleep together before her baby was born. Then Joseph named him Jesus.
Matthew 1:18-25
Memory Verse
Matthew 1:22-23
22 So the Lord's promise came true, just as the prophet had said, 23 “A virgin will have a baby boy, and he will be called Immanuel,” which means “God is with us.”
“Don’t you just love hearing Christmas songs while shopping?” Mom asked Emma as they walked into a store. Emma dragged her feet in miserable silence. Mom sang, “O come, O come, Immanuel.” When Emma rolled her eyes and sighed, Mom said, “Oh, come on, Emma. The Bible says to put on the garment of praise to remove a spirit of heaviness.”
Emma obeyed, well…sort of. “OK, Mom.” Emma started singing, “Jingle bells, Santa smells, cancer stinks a lot!”
“Whoa, whoa,” Mom exclaimed. “I don’t think that’s what the Bible had in mind.”
“Sorry,” Emma explained. “But cancer really does stink! It’s making cousin Cam so sick that he has to move away for treatment. We’ve never spent a Christmas apart. Ever! “
Mom agreed, “You’re right. Cancer is a terrible disease, and missing out on cousin time is no fun.”
Emma responded, “Exactly! I mean, who’s going to play games and make him smile after his medical treatments?”
“God is there,” said Mom.
“Uh, God does not play card games like me,” said Emma.
Mom explained, “True. But he’s been there every time you’ve played that game with Cam, and he will continue to be with you both, even though you’re miles apart, because that’s who God is. His Son, Jesus, is called Immanuel, meaning ‘God with us.’ God promises he is with us no matter where we go or what we are going through. He sits with us when we suffer and dances with us when we rejoice. When we’re sad, he waits beside us while we hope for brighter days. That’s what he did for the children of Israel, and that’s what he still does for all of us.”
Emma’s face brightened. “That makes me feel much better. I think I’m ready to sing that song now.” She smiled with Mom, and they began to sing, “O come, O come, Immanuel.”
Prayer
Father God, thank you for keeping your promise to always be with us wherever we go. Even though we can’t see you with our eyes, help us feel your calming presence in our lives, just like hot cocoa on a cold winter's day. In Christ’s name, we pray, Amen.Related Resources
Jenée V. Giles-Hamilton
Jenée V. Giles-Hamilton is a wife, TV writer, and homeschools two of her four sons (ages five years old to 21). She loves searching for the perfect picture books to read to her younger sons and Bible devotions to share at family dinners. She also enjoys caring for their two cats: Nano-Rex and Santi Cat.