The name Emmanuel is applied to Jesus in Matthew 1:23, but the gospel writer is quoting Isaiah 7:14. In this Old Testament passage, God gives Ahaz, the King of Judah, a sign that God will protect Judah against enemies that are threatening Jerusalem. Isaiah tells Ahaz, "The young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel." But Ahaz's faith was weak. So instead of trusting in God's protection, he made an alliance with the cruel superpower of his day, Assyria.
The young woman who was pregnant was most likely one of the king's wives, who bore the next king, Hezekiah (Hezz-uh-KIE-uh). Hezekiah was different from his father. He listened to the prophets and put his trust in God. God was "with" God's people through the faithful leadership of Hezekiah, so the name "God with us" suited him.
But the name applies even better to Jesus, as the author of Matthew's gospel makes clear. Jesus is both human and divine, and the name Emmanuel captures this truth beautifully. How better for God to be "with us" than to become one of us and share our joys and struggles, our hopes and our disappointments?
May the blessings of Advent prepare us to celebrate our Savior's birth with profound faith and deep joy.
