'Immanuel': Christmas message should carry us into new year

What a year! What a Christmas! These are some of the sentiments I received from friends and relatives as we prepared to celebrate Christmas and close 2021. They are deep expressions resulting from the ramifications of a pandemic that has dominated the year and clouded Christmas two years in a row. For a fact, this has been a tough year and a difficult season for many. The gasp is therefore perfectly understandable.

There is no doubt that as this year draws to a close, there are many who are so disillusioned that they do not know or care what next year may portend. For such, the excitement of the Christmas season has been lost in their state of confusion and despair! Such despair has been so clearly illustrated by the numbers of deaths, suicides, and murders that have been prevalent throughout the year. Psychologists and psychiatrists have equally recorded increased caseloads of those seeking their services – clear indicators that life has been unbearable for many. But in spite of this, for those of us who understand the true meaning of Christmas, we can still draw hope and confidence for the days ahead.

One of the most powerful truths of the Christmas story was the pronouncement by an angel of the Lord who appeared to Joseph in a dream. The angel urged Joseph not to be afraid to take Mary home as his wife, after she had been found to be pregnant outside of marriage. The angel explained that Mary was to give birth to a son, and the name was to be Jesus – because He would be a Saviour for the world. This was the fulfilment of a prophecy by Isaiah the prophet, made centuries earlier. He had predicted that a virgin would be with child and give birth to a son. The child would be called “Immanuel" – which means, "God with us."

Though for many this is an extremely tired story – told too many times over – the meaning and significance of the name Immanuel is profoundly relevant for the season and times the world finds itself in. Of course this noesis holds value only for those with an appreciation for deity. For such, the concept and theology of Immanuel draw God from the distant abode – far removed from the circumstances of life – to a direct engagement and involvement with the inhabitants of earth. In practical terms, Immanuel – God with us – may be variously understood. It could imply a God who is near to us – denoting His proximity, God standing with us – representing His solidarity, or God walking with us – the fact of his affinity. All these are attributes of God that should bring hope and encouragement to those feeling overwhelmed by the vicissitudes of life.

If God is in close proximity, then it means that He is at reach, irrespective of whether we feel or sense Him or not. Indeed, God’s assurance is that he will never leave us nor forsake us. Interestingly, in Isaiah’s days, there were those who believed that God had abandoned them. They said, "The LORD has forsaken me, the Lord has forgotten me."  But God’s powerful rebuttal was, "Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me.”

Likewise, if God is with us in solidarity, it means that even though people may not fully understand who we are and what we are about, God does understand. In a world that has lost its camaraderie, He will stand in solidarity with us even in our apparent foolishness. To claim pregnancy by the Holy Spirit was the height of foolishness, but Immanuel was the blessed outcome – God walking in divine affinity.

Of course this may sound rather preachy – and why not! A retired Bishop deserves space to preach at least one sermon a year. Yet, my prayer is for those who feel alone and lonely, lost and confused. Before you give up, remember that God is Immanuel – an ever-present help. Let us close and cross yet another year with Him!