Emmanuel: Receiving the Gift of Christ This Christmas

Devotional

Day 1: Receive the Gift: Jesus Saves Completely

Christmas declares that God loved you enough to come near, not with rules, but with rescue. Jesus came to save you from sin and bring you into a living relationship with God. A gift only changes your life when you receive it—open-handed, open-hearted. Today you can say yes to forgiveness, yes to new life, yes to the God who saves. Let this be the day you unwrap grace and call His name Jesus over your story [58:04].

Matthew 1:18-25
Before Mary and Joseph came together, Mary was found to be pregnant by the Holy Spirit. Joseph planned a quiet separation, but an angel told him not to fear, because the child was from God. She would bear a Son, and Joseph was to name Him Jesus, because He would rescue His people from their sins. This fulfilled what the prophet said: a virgin would have a son called Emmanuel—God with us. Joseph obeyed and named the child Jesus.

Reflection: If you were to receive Jesus’ gift of forgiveness today, what specific area of life would you hand over to Him, and what small habit could you change this week to align with that surrender?

Day 2: Emmanuel: God With You in Every Season

God is with you in celebration and in sorrow, in clarity and in confusion. When your faith runs thin, His faithfulness does not—He cannot deny Himself. You are never abandoned; the Presence of Jesus by the Holy Spirit is steady, strong, and kind. He walks with you into the meeting, through the quiet house, and in the long night. Let your heart rest in the promise, “I am with you always,” even now [04:30].

Matthew 28:18-20
Jesus said all authority in heaven and on earth belongs to Him. He sent His followers to make disciples of every nation, baptizing them and teaching them to live out all He commanded. And He promised to be with them every single day, right up to the end of the age.

Reflection: Where do you most feel alone this week, and what simple practice (like a whispered breath prayer, “Emmanuel, be near”) could help you notice His presence right there?

Day 3: Facing Giants with the Great I Am

Like David before Goliath, you may feel small against a towering challenge. Your confidence is not in your size or skill but in the God who stands with you and fights for you. He surrounds you with help—seen and unseen—and leads you to take courageous, obedient steps. The Lord who is with you turns impossible walls into doors. Step forward in His name and let the giant hear the sound of your trust [07:48].

1 Samuel 17:45-47
David told the giant, “You come at me with weapons, but I come in the name of the Lord of armies.” He declared that the battle belonged to God, who would hand the Philistine over. Then everyone would know that the Lord saves not by sword or spear, but by His power and purpose.

Reflection: Name one “giant” you face; what is one practical “stone” (a small, obedient action) you can pick up in faith this week?

Day 4: Building on the Rock of Ages

Life shakes when our foundation is thin, but Jesus is a solid rock that does not move. In darkness He lights the path; in weakness He becomes strength. Hiding your heart in Him is not escape—it is wise refuge that steadies your steps. His promises prove true, and His way is reliable ground for ordinary Tuesdays and extraordinary trials. Build again today on the Rock, and walk forward with strength that outlasts the storm [10:54].

Psalm 18:28-32
You, Lord, light my darkness and make the way ahead visible. With Your strength, I can break through what opposes me and leap over walls that block me. Your path is flawless, Your promises hold firm, and You are a shield to those who take shelter in You. You equip me with strength and set my feet on steady ground.

Reflection: Which part of your week feels shaky, and how will you rebuild that time on the Rock—perhaps ten unhurried minutes in Psalm 18 each morning?

Day 5: Step Forward with Confidence; He Goes Before You

You do not step into the future alone; the God who knows your days has already prepared the way. Emmanuel is present in each decision and detail, writing redemption into the lines you cannot yet read. Because He is with you, you can trade fear for bold, humble trust. Follow His lead, one obedient step at a time, and expect His goodness to meet you on the road. Lift your eyes and walk into the next season with courage anchored in His faithful presence [13:24].

Psalm 139:16
Before you lived a single day, all your days were seen and recorded by God. None of your moments are hidden from Him; your story is known and held in His care.

Reflection: Looking at one decision before you, what is a first faithful step you can take this week to follow His lead rather than your fears?

Sermon Summary

What a joy to celebrate Jesus together. I walked us through Matthew’s account of His birth from Joseph’s point of view—an ordinary carpenter suddenly swept up into the extraordinary plan of God. Mary, a virgin, conceives by the Holy Spirit; Joseph wrestles with fear and reputation; an angel steps in with clarity: “Name Him Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” That is the good news—Jesus saves. He doesn’t just rescue us from guilt; He restores us into living fellowship with God. And He is Emmanuel—God with us. Not a distant deity, but present, active, faithful Presence.

I shared how a gift must be received. It’s not enough to admire a wrapped box at Christmas; it must be opened. In the same way, salvation is a gift in Jesus that must be personally received. We talked about how Emmanuel is not passive presence. God fights for us. He sets angels over us. He orders steps we don’t even see. Like David facing Goliath, courage is not found in our size but in the nearness of the Great I AM. When we carry the revelation “with us is God,” impossibilities begin to bow.

We read Psalm 18—God turning on a floodlight in our darkness, becoming the rock beneath our feet. Life built on anything else will shake. Life built on Jesus holds steady in storm and sunshine. I urged us to make Him our foundation, to trust His faithful character, especially when we feel faithless—because He cannot disown Himself. And I called us to step into the new year with confidence, not fear. The pages ahead are already known to Him. He is Emmanuel—before us, with us, and within us by the Holy Spirit. Many of you responded to receive this gift, and we blessed and commissioned people to walk out their calling in His power and love. Jesus saves. Jesus stays. Jesus is with us.

Key Takeaways

1. Jesus saves and restores relationship Jesus is not merely a moral example; He is the Savior who breaks the power of sin and brings us home to the Father. Salvation is both pardon and presence—freedom from guilt and entrance into life with God. The name “Jesus” announces what He does: He saves. His rescue is personal, complete, and available now. [58:04]
2. The gift must be received Admiring a gift changes nothing; opening it changes everything. Salvation works the same way: it moves from information to transformation when we personally say yes to Jesus. Don’t leave the most important gift of your life unopened. Receive Him, and let grace do its deep work. [61:13]
3. Emmanuel is active, not passive God’s nearness is not sentimental—it is strategic. He watches, guards, and fights for you, often in ways you cannot trace until later. His presence means provision, guidance, and protection in real time, not just in theory. Take courage: the Lord of Hosts is involved in your story. [64:30]
4. Build your life on the Rock Strength in storms is not about inner grit; it’s about true foundation. Jesus—our Rock—stabilizes our steps and lights our path when darkness closes in. When promises shake around you, His promises stand beneath you. Anchor your identity, decisions, and hopes in Him. [70:54]
5. Walk into the future boldly You are not stepping into the unknown alone. The God who writes your days goes before you; Emmanuel walks beside you; the Spirit strengthens within you. When fear talks, let Presence answer. Confidence grows where companionship with God is real. [73:24]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:45] - Christmas Production and Next Year
[02:10] - Opening Prayer: Glory Laid Aside
[05:20] - Reading Matthew 1:18-25
[10:05] - Jesus: The God Who Saves
[16:30] - The Gift Must Be Received
[22:15] - Airport Bag Story and Gifts
[29:40] - Emmanuel: God With Us
[58:04] - Prophecy Fulfilled: Emmanuel Named
[61:13] - Gifts, Batteries, and Receiving
[64:30] - God Fights For You
[67:48] - Facing Giants Like David
[70:54] - Psalm 18 and Solid Foundation
[73:24] - Confidence for the Road Ahead
[78:52] - Invitation, Prayer, and Commissioning

Bible Study Guide

Bible reading
- Matthew 1:18-25

Observation questions

In Matthew 1:18-25, what difficult situation was Joseph facing, and what did he plan to do before the angel spoke? What changed after the dream?
The child is given two names in this passage. What are they, and what do they mean? How do “Jesus” and “Emmanuel” fit together in the story?
What real-life picture was used to show that a gift must be received, not just admired? What point was being made? [01:01:13]
What were some specific ways described that show Emmanuel is active—God guarding, guiding, fighting for His people? Name at least two. [01:04:30]

Interpretation questions

Joseph chose obedience even though his reputation could have taken a hit. What does this reveal about trusting God’s word over fear and public opinion in Matthew 1:18-25?
“He will save His people from their sins” and “God with us” sit side by side. If salvation is both pardon and presence, how should that reshape someone’s expectations for daily life with Jesus?
If God’s nearness is active—ordering steps, setting angels over us, fighting for us—how should that change the way someone prays about the battles they’re facing right now? [01:04:30]
The language of God turning on a floodlight, being a rock, and offering a secure foundation points to stability and clarity in dark times. How does building on that Rock change decision-making when everything around feels shaky? [01:10:54]

Application questions

Where is Jesus still a “wrapped gift” in your life—admired but unopened? What specific step this week would be like opening the gift (a prayer of surrender, confession, asking about baptism, forgiving someone)? [01:01:13]
Name one place where you need God’s active help (family, health, finances, a hidden habit). How will you invite Emmanuel to fight for you and look for His guidance each day this week? Consider one simple practice (a morning Psalm and short prayer, asking for angelic protection, journaling answered prayers). [01:04:30]
What is your current “Goliath”? What concrete action of courage will you take because with you is God—make a call, submit an application, set a boundary, tell the truth? Who will pray with you as you take that step? [01:07:48]
Look at your calendar and spending from the last month. What does it reveal about your foundation? What one adjustment this week would better anchor your identity, decisions, and hopes in Jesus the Rock? [01:10:54]
Think about the coming year. What is the one fear that talks the loudest? What promise or breath-prayer will you answer it with? Try, “With me is God.” [01:13:24]
When you feel faithless, what is one practical way you will lean into God’s faithfulness (memorize a verse, reach out to a trusted friend, show up to serve even when low, keep a nightly gratitude list)?

Sermon Clips

it's quite amazing because mary was a virgin she would have been about 16 years old and here's the amazing conception impregnated by the holy spirit the son of the living god being born isn't it amazing about jesus the beautiful name jesus means the god who saves it actually means jesus he's got many names but it means the god who saves he is the savior of the world [00:59:49] (29 seconds) #MiracleOfChristmas

isn't it amazing about jesus the beautiful name jesus means the god who saves it actually means jesus he's got many names but it means the god who saves he is the savior of the world jesus saves us from our sins he saves us from our wrongdoings he saves us from our darkness and he brings us into he saves us into a relationship with god the relationship with god that was lost and we can have a powerful relationship with god i'm not sure if you have one but you can have one today becausehe's right here he is emmanuel god is with us this is the gift of christmas it's beautiful [01:00:05] (39 seconds) #GodWhoSaves

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

How do the names Jesus and Emmanuel complement?

What role do angels play in our battles?

What does Emmanuel mean for suffering believers today?