Scripture

“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son and she shall name him Immanuel”

 Observation

King Ahaz of Judah is threatened by an alliance between Israel and Syria, Ahaz is worried, but the Lord, though Isaiah, tells him not to be afraid.

 Isaiah tells Ahaz to ask the Lord for a sign. Ahaz refuses, so Isaiah gives him one anyway.

 A virgin (or young woman) will bear a child and call him Immanuel. By the time the child is old enough to choose right from wrong, the lands of the kings Ahaz fears will be laid to waste.

Application

While this prophecy refers to the immediate time of King Ahaz, it also speaks of the birth of Jesus, our Immanuel.

 Jesus is the saviour who has, in a manner of speaking, laid waste to the lands of our enemy the devil.

 Because of Jesus we have nothing to fear from the evil one.

Prayer

Thank you Lord for the message of Christmas- Immanuel, God is with us. Thank you for the knowledge that you are always with me. Amen.