“Emmanuel,” a Hebrew word, is made up of two words: “Emmanu” which means “with us” and “el” (i.e. “Elohim”) which means God. So, “Emmanuel” means “God with us.” God has never forsaken men even after Adam sinned against God. Hence, Emmanuel does not imply that God had deserted man and is now coming back to be with man. Rather, Emmanuel means that God came to walk among men in the form of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Since the fall of man, no man is righteous before God (Rom 3:10) because of sin. We are condemned and the consequence of our sin is death (Rom 6:23). We will end up being tormented in lake of fire for eternity because of our sin. However, God had devised a plan for us so that we can have a way of escape. Matthew 1:18-25 describes this plan of salvation: the coming of Jesus Christ.

When “Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child… Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily” (Matt 1:18-19). God intervened by sending an angel to explain to Joseph in a dream that Mary’s child was conceived of the Holy Ghost (Matt 1:20). As such, the child, who shall be called Jesus (Matt 1:21), is without sin as he was not conceived of a man. And He “shall save his people from their sins” (Matt 1:21).

Man is sinful, possessing the lust of the flesh (desiring material things), the lust of the eyes (envying what others have) and the pride of life (yearning after the praises of men). Man can do nothing to take away their sins as any good works are considered to be like filthy rags in the eyes of the Holy and Perfect God. Man’s only hope is in the Lord Jesus Christ, He is our perfect substitute, being 100% God and 100% man. Jesus led a sinless and perfect life on earth. He suffered, was humiliated and died on the cross for our sake. He was resurrected on the third day and He ascended to heaven. Through His life and death, our sins are washed away and we are made righteous before God.

The Lord Jesus Christ came to save us from our sin. It is important that we receive this salvation. We must repent of our sins, receive Jesus into our lives to be our Lord and Saviour. We must not procrastinate because Jesus will return one day to judge the world and when that time comes, it will be too late.