Emmanuel: God With Us in Our Longing
Summary
Welcome to the first Sunday of Advent and the beginning of our December series, "Songs of the Soul." This series invites us to explore the deep truths embedded in the Christmas carols that have been sung for centuries. These songs resonate with us because they articulate feelings of longing, hope, and joy that are universal to the human experience. Whether you love Christmas carols or not, they invite us to see what God has done at Christmas and to engage with the good news of great joy for all people.
Today, we focus on the carol "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel," a song that has been sung for over 1,200 years. This carol captures the essence of longing and hope, reflecting the human condition of mourning and exile. It reminds us that Christmas is about God coming to get us, to rescue us from our sins and to be with us in our struggles. The story of Joseph in Matthew 1 illustrates this beautifully. Joseph, faced with a difficult situation, chooses to act with grace and humility, demonstrating that God often meets us when we choose to do the hard, generous thing.
The angel's message to Joseph reveals two names for Jesus: "Jesus," meaning "the Lord saves," and "Emmanuel," meaning "God with us." These names encapsulate the essence of Christmas. Jesus comes to save us from our sins, which is the root of all our problems, and to be with us in our challenges. This is the tension we live in: God cares about our problems and has come to save us from sin, yet sometimes He delivers us from our problems, and other times He gives us grace to endure them.
As we enter this Advent season, let us open our hearts to the possibility that God wants to meet us in unexpected ways. Whether through acts of grace towards those who have wronged us or through embracing a calling that seems inconvenient, God invites us to trust Him. This Christmas, may we not keep God at arm's length but welcome Him into our lives, knowing that He is with us and for us.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Power of Christmas Carols: Christmas carols, like "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel," resonate deeply because they express universal human experiences of longing and hope. They invite us to see the truth and wonder of Christmas, regardless of our current feelings or circumstances. [03:06]
2. God Meets Us in Generosity: Joseph's story shows that God often meets us when we choose to act with grace and humility, even in difficult situations. When we do the hard, generous thing, we open ourselves to encountering God in profound ways. [13:16]
3. The Tension of God's Salvation: God cares about our immediate problems but has come to save us from the root of all issues—sin. This dual focus means that while God may not always remove our problems, He offers grace and presence in the midst of them. [27:41]
4. Embracing God's Call: Sometimes, following God's call means stepping into situations that others may not understand. Like Joseph, we may be called to embrace a path that seems inconvenient or misunderstood, trusting that God is doing something new and beautiful. [15:00]
5. God With Us: The name "Emmanuel" assures us that God is with us, not to judge or shame, but to redeem and bless. This presence is a source of comfort and strength, inviting us to trust and rejoice in God's love and salvation. [30:24]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [03:06] - The Resonance of Christmas Carols
- [05:46] - Personal Connection to Christmas Music
- [07:55] - A Prayer for Rescue
- [08:54] - The Essence of Christmas
- [09:55] - Joseph's Dilemma
- [11:05] - Choosing Grace Over Revenge
- [13:16] - Meeting God in Generosity
- [15:00] - Embracing a Difficult Call
- [16:22] - The Disputed Miracle
- [18:30] - An Invitation to Believe
- [21:08] - The Context of Jesus' Birth
- [23:50] - The Gift of Salvation
- [25:01] - Wrestling with God's Gift
- [27:41] - The Tension of Salvation
- [30:24] - God With Us: Emmanuel
- [35:16] - Communion and Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Songs of the Soul - "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel"
Bible Reading:
- Matthew 1:18-25
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Observation Questions:
1. What are the two names given to Jesus in Matthew 1, and what do they mean? [18:30]
2. How does Joseph initially plan to handle the situation with Mary, and what does this reveal about his character? [09:55]
3. What message does the angel deliver to Joseph, and how does it change his course of action? [13:16]
4. How does the sermon describe the universal human experiences that the carol "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" resonates with? [21:08]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. What might the significance be of the name "Emmanuel" in the context of the challenges Joseph and Mary faced? [30:24]
2. How does the sermon suggest that God meets us when we choose to act with grace and humility, as Joseph did? [13:16]
3. In what ways does the sermon describe the tension between God caring for our immediate problems and saving us from sin? [27:41]
4. How does the sermon interpret the call to embrace situations that others may not understand, as Joseph did with Mary? [15:00]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt a deep longing or hope similar to what is expressed in "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel." How did you see God at work in that situation? [21:08]
2. Joseph chose to act with grace and humility in a difficult situation. Is there someone in your life who has wronged you, and how might you respond with grace and humility? [11:05]
3. The sermon discusses the tension of God's salvation, where sometimes He delivers us from problems, and other times He gives us grace to endure them. How have you experienced this tension in your own life? [27:41]
4. Joseph was called to embrace a path that seemed inconvenient and misunderstood. Is there a calling or situation in your life that feels similar? How might you trust God in this? [15:00]
5. The name "Emmanuel" means "God with us." How can you be more aware of God's presence in your daily life, especially during challenging times? [30:24]
6. The sermon invites us to open our hearts to the possibility that God wants to meet us in unexpected ways. What unexpected ways might God be trying to meet you this Advent season? [08:54]
7. How can you ensure that you are not keeping God at arm's length this Christmas, but instead welcoming Him into your life? What practical steps can you take to deepen your relationship with Him? [30:24]
Devotional
Day 1: The Resonance of Christmas Carols
Christmas carols, such as "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel," have been sung for centuries, resonating deeply with people across generations. These songs articulate universal human experiences of longing, hope, and joy, inviting us to reflect on the profound truths of Christmas. They remind us of the wonder of God coming to be with us, offering a message of hope and salvation. Whether or not one is fond of Christmas music, these carols invite us to engage with the good news of great joy for all people, transcending our current feelings or circumstances. [03:06]
Isaiah 35:10 (ESV): "And the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away."
Reflection: Think of a Christmas carol that resonates with you. How does its message speak to your current season of life, and how can you let its truth shape your perspective today?
Day 2: Meeting God in Generosity
The story of Joseph in Matthew 1 illustrates how God often meets us when we choose to act with grace and humility, even in difficult situations. Joseph, faced with a challenging decision, chose to act generously and with integrity, opening himself to encounter God in a profound way. This narrative encourages us to consider how our own acts of generosity and grace can become opportunities for divine encounters. When we choose to do the hard, generous thing, we align ourselves with God's heart and open the door for His presence in our lives. [13:16]
Proverbs 11:25 (ESV): "Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent situation where you had the opportunity to act with grace and generosity. How did you respond, and what might God be inviting you to do differently next time?
Day 3: The Tension of God's Salvation
God's salvation is a dual focus: He cares about our immediate problems and has come to save us from the root of all issues—sin. This means that while God may not always remove our problems, He offers grace and presence in the midst of them. This tension invites us to trust in God's ultimate plan for our lives, knowing that He is with us in our struggles and working for our good. It challenges us to embrace the grace He offers, even when our circumstances remain unchanged, and to find comfort in His presence. [27:41]
2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV): "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me."
Reflection: Consider a current challenge you are facing. How can you invite God's grace into this situation, trusting Him to work through it even if the outcome is not what you expect?
Day 4: Embracing God's Call
Following God's call often means stepping into situations that others may not understand, much like Joseph did. It requires trust and courage to embrace a path that seems inconvenient or misunderstood, believing that God is doing something new and beautiful. This call invites us to surrender our own plans and expectations, trusting that God's ways are higher than ours. As we embrace His call, we open ourselves to the possibility of experiencing His presence and purpose in unexpected ways. [15:00]
Isaiah 55:8-9 (ESV): "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."
Reflection: Is there an area in your life where you feel God is calling you to step out in faith? What fears or uncertainties are holding you back, and how can you trust God with this call today?
Day 5: God With Us: Emmanuel
The name "Emmanuel" assures us that God is with us, not to judge or shame, but to redeem and bless. This presence is a source of comfort and strength, inviting us to trust and rejoice in God's love and salvation. Knowing that God is with us in every circumstance changes how we face life's challenges, offering hope and peace in the midst of uncertainty. This Christmas, we are invited to welcome God into our lives, trusting that He is for us and with us, working all things for our good. [30:24]
Zephaniah 3:17 (ESV): "The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing."
Reflection: How does the assurance of God's presence as "Emmanuel" change your perspective on a current situation? What steps can you take to welcome His presence more fully into your life today?
Quotes
Listen, so wherever you're coming from, these Christmas carols invite all of us to come and see what God has done at Christmas. To come and see the truth of Christmas, the wonder of Christmas, the joy of Christmas, the peace of Christmas. All people are invited to step into the good news, great joy for all. [00:03:37] (19 seconds)
God coming to get us, is what Christmas is all about. It's what Christmas is all about. God coming to get me, God coming to get you, is what Christmas is all about. That is what we read as we look at Matthew chapter one. [00:09:04] (18 seconds)
When you move in humility and love to do something generous to people who have even harmed you, you meet the Lord. Now, Joseph has an angel encounter, not likely to happen to you, okay? Sorry, I hate to bring that to you. [00:13:42] (15 seconds)
Saving us from our sins solves our biggest problem and is the best gift God could possibly give us because sin is what separates us from God, who is the source of all good gifts. [00:25:42] (9 seconds)
Good news, great joy. You don't have to keep God at arm's length through non-religious ways or religious ways. God himself wants to be with you today, right here, right now. He has come to ransom you, to rescue you, to deliver you from lonely exile, mourning, to comfort us with good news, great joy. [00:31:58] (23 seconds)
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