Today we celebrate Immanuel, God with us.

Matthew 1:23-24 (NKJV) "Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," which is translated, "God with us." Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife.” Immanuel, God with us. Think about the miracle of that. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. They needed a Savior and we need a Savior. Look at this story.

1. God with us, of course, but God with Joseph. I can’t imagine being engaged to someone and being so excited to get married. To be able to take this beautiful young lady as my wife. What joy! Imagine your fiancé sitting you down. Hey Babe, I have something to tell you. Of course, Sweetheart, you can tell me anything, I love you! Well, I am going to have a baby! Say what? Not only am I going to have a baby but this child is from God. Poor God gets blamed for so much. How many of you are glad God was with Joseph? God with Joseph but here is the key…He did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife…He obeyed, he trusted, and he submitted to God’s will.

2. God with us, of course, but God with Mary. I am sure Mary had dreamed most of her life about the day she would find her prince charming, have a wedding fit for a princess, and become one with her husband. Then, an angel shows up. Say what? She was not only going to find her prince charming but she was going to find the Prince of Peace! Imagine how this teenage girl must have felt. Her head was spinning and her heart racing. Her response was priceless…God came to be with us but God with Mary made all the difference and how she responded to Him…Luke 1:38 (NKJV) Then Mary said, "Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word." 

3. God with us. Galatians 2:20 (NKJV) “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” There it is…Christ lives in me…Christ in me. Immanuel, God with us wanted to be God in Rick. Today He wants to be God in you. What was the key to God in Rick, I had to surrender my life to Him and make Him Lord and Savior? Today is your day…Christ in you!