The Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel.” – Isaiah. 7:14. This prophecy of Isaiah has come true in the life of Mother Mary when the angel Gabriel appeared to her and said, “And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a Son, and you will name him Jesus” – Luke. 1:31. Thus, the virgin conceived and bore a son and named him Emmanuel, which means, “God is with us” – Matthew. 1:23.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” – John. 1:1. “And this Word became flesh and lived among us.” – John. 1:14.

This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him there is no darkness at all.” – 1 John 1:5. And Jesus speaks to us saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” – John. 8:12

Whoever accepts his testimony has certified this that God is true.” – John. 3:33. “And we know the Son of God has come and has given us understanding so that we may know him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.” – 1 John 5:20.

We read about the call of Gideon in the old testament Gideon is afraid because he saw the angel of the Lord face to face. But God speaks to him bringing peace. And Gideon built an altar there and called it, “The Lord is Peace” – Judges. 6:24. “Jesus is our peace; in his flesh he has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall.” – Ephesians. 2:14

It is God who created us, human beings, in his image and likeness, giving us life. – Genesis. 1:26 (Genesis. 2:7). And Jesus tells us, “I am the life” – John. 11:25, John. 14:6.

My dear brothers and sisters, during this joyful season, let us understand that God who is Word, light, true, peace and life has come into our lives in flesh, named Jesus. Thus, Jesus is truly Emmanuel, which means “God is with us”. May we all be enlightened by the Word of God and truly experience the presence of God within us at all times in our lives. Amen.