Immanuel – eternity in time
By Paul Bawden
Recently I had a brief conversation with a person about the meaning of Christmas.
We acknowledged that being with family and friends along with the giving and receiving of gifts was a great way to celebrate Christmas, but there was much more in the Christmas celebration.
So, what’s the much more in Christmas? It’s found in a name – a name that is unique above all names, a name that has no beginning or end. In fact, a name that includes eternity in time – it’s the name, Immanuel – meaning God with us (Matt. 1:23; Isaiah 7:14). The name given to Jesus, the baby born Christmas Eve.
The word, “God,” tells us the baby born was eternal – He always existed. The words, “with us,” tell us that He was human, like us, yet without sin, able to identify with us in our challenges in life and provide the help we need. In other words, Immanuel, was the God-man. Put another way, Immanuel is referring to Eternity living in time.
Such is an amazing reality, to say the least. That’s why C.S. Lewis called Immanuel, the Grand Miracle. Still, many today deny that reality, and others celebrate Christmas just to be with family and friends. Unless, Immanuel is a historical reality, Christmas really has no lasting meaning. It’s just about being with family and friends, exchanging gifts with no true peace, joy, and hope.
Since Immanuel is God with us, we discover, through the historical writ, that He came to provide us what we all need, His eternal life and forgiveness before the biblical God through His death and bodily resurrection.
Note what Immanuel provides the believer who possesses His eternal life – life in surplus.
**The confidence that he has His eternal life forever (John 10:27-29; Rom. 8:38-39).
**His eternal guidance through His word the Bible (Prov. 3:5-6).
** His encouragement and strength in life’s challenges – good and difficult (Heb. 13:5-6)
**His victory in temptation since He was tempted and won (Heb. 4:14-16).
**Living in the believer spiritually (Col. 1:27), He empowers him to live a life of holiness, displaying His purity, unconditional love, kindness, forgiveness, self-control, and faithfulness (Phil. 4:13; I Cor. 13:4-8a; Gal. 5:22-23).
**His forgiveness and grace are always available when the believer sins as he confesses his sin to Him (I John 1:9).
**The believer can use a portion of his money to further Immanuel’s eternal kingdom laying up treasures in heaven (Matt. 6:19-21).
**His promise that, in spite of the mess man has made of the world, He is for righteousness and peace, while He is working out His plan to bring His eventual victory (Eph. 1:9-12).
**The guarantee that the believer’s personality will go to be with Him after this life, with the promise of a new body, and living with Him forever when He returns, joined with others who have gone on before (II Cor.5:6-10; I Thess. 4:13-18; I John 3:1-3).
Eternity in time – Immanuel has come into time so the believer in time can experience His eternal life – life in surplus today, and have the promise of being in eternity with Him forever after this life. I trust you know Immanuel personally through faith in Him. May He be the reason that your Christmas this year has eternal meaning – His Peace, Joy, and Hope – as you fellowship with family and friends and exchange gifts. Have a Merry Christmas!!!
Paul Bawden is married and served in the pastoral ministry for 45 years, retiring in 2011. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a B.A. in Speech and attended Dallas Theological Seminary, receiving a Master of Theology. He has taken counseling courses at Trinity Evangelical Seminary in Deerfield, Illinois. Paul is a lifetime member of the Evangelical Free Church of America, as well as being a member of Interim Pastor Ministries (IPM), which serves churches during their time of transition in searching for a new pastor. He writes for Union Gospel Press, as well as being a volunteer writer for GotQuestions.org. Paul likes to write, read, bike, and work in the yard. The Bawdens have had the privilege to travel to Mexico and Romania on mission trips and visited various countries in Europe.