The Greatest Gift

“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” ~Isaiah 7:14

One of the most cherished Christmas hymns of all time is anonymous. We don’t know who authored “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel,” nor do we know when it was written. Some believe it is traceable to an ancient monastic chant, perhaps from nearly one thousand years ago. Others believe it’s an old German song. In any case, its author is unknown. And I think there’s something wonderful about that. 

Christ’s coming into the world was marked by a similar kind of obscurity — not in the sense that His identity was uncertain (He was the long-promised Son of David and eternal Son of God), but in the sense that the world did not recognize or know Him. Only a few shepherds and His parents witnessed His birth and understood anything of its significance. The prophet Isaiah had hinted at His humble beginnings, declaring He would be a “shoot from the stump of Jesse” (Isa. 11:1). Later he would say Christ “had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him” (Isa. 53:2). Jesus — the King of the universe — was born in humble obscurity. How remarkable!

To be clear, He had appeared previously “in cloud and majesty and awe.” The second verse of this Christmas hymn reminds us that the little baby born in Bethlehem is the same God who to His “tribe on Sinai’s height, in ancient times didst give the law.” If ever there was One who deserved attention, it was Jesus. He is the “Dayspring from on high,” the “Key of David,” the “Lord of might.” Yet He came in humility to dwell among lowly man. Indeed, Emmanuel means “God with us” — not merely near us, not approaching yet remaining afar, but “with us” in covenant fellowship. He came so close that He took “the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men” (Phil. 2:7). Have you considered lately that the God who spoke the stars into existence humbled Himself to sleep beneath the very celestial bodies He had made? And more: Emmanuel came in humility to save us — to suffer for us and to redeem us by His blood.

As Christmas approaches, many of us are eagerly anticipating the exchange of gifts that will soon take place. And there’s nothing wrong with that! We love to bless others with gifts, and it can truly be a blessing to receive a thoughtful gift from others. But in our giving and receiving, have we paused to consider what has truly been given and received? We have been given “Emmanuel” — God with us. We have been given the presence, love, and communion with God Himself, purchased for us by Christ’s saving work. And by faith in the Son, we receive eternal life and all the benefits of union with Him. Whatever we give or receive this Christmas, let us not forget that God gave Himself for us in Christ, and by faith we receive Him.

Rev. Kyle Lockhart, Pastor