Day 9 — God with Us

“She will give birth to a Son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins. All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: ‘Behold, the virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call Him Immanuel’ (which means, ‘God with us’).”

— Matthew 1:21–23 (BSB)

Imagine you’re home sick in bed. One friend sends you a text: “Hope you feel better!” That’s kind. But another friend knocks on the door, comes in with your favorite snack and sits on the end of your bed to keep you company. Which one feels more like love?

God could have sent a message from far away. And He did send lots of messages, through the prophets and the Scriptures. But at just the right time, He did something much bigger. He came Himself.

An angel appeared to a man named Joseph in a dream. Joseph was engaged to Mary, and he was confused and worried, because Mary was going to have a baby. The angel explained that this baby came from the Holy Spirit. Then the angel told Joseph what to name Him: Jesus. In Hebrew, Jesus means “the LORD saves.” Why that name? “Because He will save His people from their sins.”

Then Matthew tells us this fulfilled a promise God made hundreds of years earlier: the baby would be called Immanuel, which means “God with us.”

Think about how amazing that is. The God who made the stars, the holy God the seraphim worship, became a tiny baby. He learned to walk. He had a family. He felt hungry and tired. He knew what it’s like to be a kid. He didn’t stay far away in heaven. He came close, all the way down to where we are.

And He is still “God with us.” Jesus is alive today, and He promises to be with everyone who trusts Him, always. On the bus, at the kitchen table, in the doctor’s office, at a sleepover: Jesus is Immanuel there too.

Think about it: Why do you think God chose to come to earth Himself instead of just sending a message?

Try this: Today, whenever you walk into a new place (a classroom, a store, your room), quietly say, “Jesus, You’re here with me.”

Dear Jesus, thank You for coming to earth for me. Thank You that You are Immanuel, God with us. Thank You that You came to save people from their sins. Help me remember that You are with me everywhere I go today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.