Therefore the Lord himself will give a sign for all of you. Look! The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son and name him Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14 

This prophecy is so familiar to us. It is a part of nearly every children’s Christmas service. It is, at least every three years, a text in our worship services. It even graces the fronts of Christmas cards which truly express our God’s love for us and is emblazoned on the front of nativity ornaments. Yet, the origin of this text can oddly escape ever being noticed. 

The safety and security of the nation of Judah was threatened. Worse yet, Israel and Aram threatened it. Their hope was to bring an end to the nation of Judah and set up a puppet king on its throne. Ahaz, king of Judah, and his people trembled like the trees of a forest trembling under strong winds. 

Into this history, God sent the prophet Isaiah and his son to proclaim a message of security, protection, and comfort to King Ahaz. The Lord promised that not only would Israel and Aram not be able to conquer Judah but that Israel would cease to be a nation within the next 65 years. This was the message of hope Ahaz was to bring to his people. 

But Ahaz doubted the Lord. Faced with the enemies amassed against him, Ahaz relied on his human reason rather than faith in the promises given by the Almighty God. In patience, the Lord asked Ahaz what sign he needed to be assured that His promises were true. Any sign. In the heights of heaven. In the depths of the earth. Any sign God would provide. But in a show of false humility and piety, Ahaz refused to ask. 

Therefore, God promised Ahaz a sign would come. Though it would not come in Ahaz’ lifetime, it would be the sign to end all signs, a sign that would once and forever assure all mankind that the Triune God fulfills all of His promises, even the seemingly impossible promises. The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son and name him Immanuel. 

Dear brothers and sisters, this is the ultimate sign we need for our lives as well. We know from the pages of scripture that God did fulfill this promise. God did send His Son to be born of the virgin Mary, to be born under His law so that He could redeem us from that law’s condemnation. 

Knowing that God so loved us, what promise He has made to us will not be fulfilled? If God did not spare His own Son from death on the cross to save us, why will He not then graciously give us all things: provision, protection, purpose, comfort in affliction, and hope for the future. 

Every day we live knowing this ultimate sign was fulfilled in Christ. May it give you the encouragement you need to live a life of hopeful devotion to our Lord Jesus, Immanuel, the God who dwelled among us to redeem us. Blessings as this sign of God’s love renews your joy in this season in which we celebrate His birth. 

Upcoming on the Immanuel Lutheran School calendar: 

❖ Sunday, December 18 Children’s Christmas Service - 10:30 AM Service

❖ Friday, December 23 - Monday, January 2 No School - Christmas Break