The Lord Is Come!

This episode came in part from the following program:

"His Name Is Immanuel"

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Dannah Gresh: One of the names of Jesus in the Bible is “Immanuel,” which means “God is with us.” Here’s Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth. 

Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth: In every situation, in every season of life, in every circumstance, in every conversation that you have, in every gathering of believers, God is with us. And that affects everything!

Dannah: Merry Christmas! Welcome to Revive Our Hearts Weekend! My name is Dannah Gresh, and one of the best-known Christmas carols states it beautifully: “Joy to the World, the Lord Is Come!” That’s what we’re celebrating this weekend. 

The Lord of the universe has come. He’s with us. He is our Immanuel. I don’t know where you are or what you’re doing right now, but I’m glad you’re listening.

If you were here at the Gresh Farm, well, I might just pull out the hot chocolate and pour you a mug of steaming comfort. Maybe add a drop of peppermint for that Christmasy flavor. Oh, and some vanilla! I just want to pause and really soak into the true gift of Christmas.

And then, listen while I read from the gospel of Matthew, Chapter 1 and a little bit of Luke Chapter 2. 

Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 

But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:

"Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, 
and they shall call his name Immanuel” which means, God with us." (Matt. 1:18–23)

Now, remember that part, because we’re gonna hear from Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth in a little bit, telling us more about that name for Jesus, “Immanuel.” Okay, continuing on.

When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him. (Matt. 1:24)

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. (Luke 2:4–6)

Dannah: Oh, I am always so comforted by that song ("Silent Night"). It’s such a lullaby. But let’s get real: how silent do you really think it was when Jesus was born?

I mean, there were sometimes-noisy, always stinky animals in the picture. And we know the city was crowded since there was no room in the inn! We don’t even know that Jesus was born at night. 

Well, I thought it might be fun to take my twin granddaughters, Addie and Zoe, out to the barn on my little farm and just talk about the Christmas story with them. Kinda give them a more . . . well, realistic picture of what it might have been like. 

So I did. And Blake showed up with microphones and a recorder to capture the memory for us. Of course, his wasn’t quite as au naturale as the stable Mary and Joseph were in, so you’ll hear the automatic watering trough humming in the background and maybe an animal or two. Let’s listen together as I, “Nanna Dannah,” talk with three-year-old Addie and Zoe.

Dannah: So remember when I asked you, “Why do we celebrate Christmas? Why do we?

Addie: Because it's God's birthday!

Dannah: That's exactly right! It's God's birthday. It's Jesus' birthday, right?

Where was Jesus born?

Zoe: In a barn.

Dannah: In a barn. That's right. Can you imagine . . .

Addie: Is that a hay bale?

Dannah: It is a hay bale. (baaaa) What's that?

Both: Boo Hoo.

Dannah: What is Boo Hoo? Is he a goat?

Zoe: Goat. Is he eating you?

Dannah: He's nibbling on me. 

Addie: I don't want him to nibble me.

Dannah: He won't. You know why he nibbles me? It's because I used to give him a bottle, and he's looking for his bottle.

Your mommy has a baby in her belly, right?

Zoe: Huhuh.

Dannah: Did you decide what to call your baby brother?

Addie: Pickle.

Dannah: Pickle? You see how Mommy has a baby in her belly? That's how Mary came into the barn. They the baby came out of her belly while she was in the barn! Where would you put the baby if the baby came out of Mommy's belly right now?

Zoe: On the couch.

Dannah: On the couch!? But there is no couch in the barn.

Addie: On that.

Dannah: On that? You'd put the baby on the hay bale because it is soft.

Zoe: Babies like hay bales.

Dannah: Babies do?

Zoe: Yeah.

Dannah: Should we read this and see what it was like when Baby Jesus was born?

Addie: Yeah.

Dannah: The First Christmas
"Mary and Joseph were traveling to the little town of Bethlehem."

Where were they going?

Zoe: To the barn.

Dannah: To the barn.

"Mary was about to have a baby, so the donkey gave her a ride."

They are going to the little town of Bethlehem. Can you say Bethlehem?

Both: Bethlehem.

Dannah: "It was late and there was no room in the hotel for Mary and Joseph."

Did you ever stay in a hotel?

Addie: Did they have a big coat?

Dannah: They did have a coat. They had a coat to stay warm, I think.

Song: "Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne"

Thou didst leave Thy throne and Thy kingly crown
When Thou camest to earth for me.
But in Bethlehem's home was there found no room
For Thy holy nativity.

Oh come to my heart Lord Jesus
There is room in my heart for Thee.
There is room in my heart for Thee.¹

Dannah: "But the stable was nice and warm and they decided to stay there. The cow and the donkey knew this would be a special night."

Do think it will be special with Jesus being born?

Both: Yes.

Song (instrumental): "Away in the Manger"

Away in the manger no crib for a bed
The little Lord Jesus lay down His sweet head.
The stars in the sky look down where He lay
The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.²

Dannah: Three wise men saw a bright star over the town of Bethlehem and they knew something wonderful was about to happen! So they followed the star."

What did the wise men ride on.

Zoe: A camel.

Dannah: Yes, maybe.

"Shepherds were watching their sheep that night when angels appeared to them."

Do you know what the angels said?

"We bring good news of great joy because a baby has been born to us. So the bright star pointed the way to the little town of Bethlehem to a warm and welcoming stable. In that humble stable they found baby Jesus lying in the manger, and He was loved."

Song: "Away in the Manger" (instrumental)

The cattle are lowing the baby awakes
But little Lord Jesus no crying He make
I love You Lord Jesus look down from the sky
A stay by my side 'til morning is night.²

Dannah: Do you think that's what the barn looked like that Baby Jesus was born in?

Addie: Yeah.

Dannah: Who was in there with Baby Jesus?

Zoe: Mom and Dadda

Dannah: And who else?

Addie: Animals

Dannah: What kind of animals?

Zoe: A donkey.

Dannah: And who else?

Addie: Sheep.

Dannah: And who else?

Zoe: Nobody.

Dannah: That's a cow.

Zoe: That's a cow.

Dannah: Do you see? Who's this?

Addie: A cow.

Dannah: Yeah. Why do we celebrate Christmas?

Zoe: Because it is Jesus' birthday.

Dannah: Yes. How are we going to celebrate Jesus' birthday? Should we sit in the barn all day?

Addie: No.

Zoe: Yes. We need to open it because the animals will drink it.

Dannah: Well, you know what. Jesus was born in a barn and Mary needed to have a drink while she was out there.

Should we sing happy birthday to Jesus? Let's it. One, two, three.

All:

Happy birthday to you. 
Happy birthday to you.
Happy birthday dear Jesus.
Happy birthday to you.

Addie: chuckle) Well, that wasn’t exactly how I pictured that going, for the record. You just heard my attempt to help my three-year-old granddaughters, Addie and Zoe, have a more realistic experience of the Christmas story! I’m not sure it worked, but we had fun anyway!

Song: "O Come, O Come Immanuel" (instrumental)

O come, o come Immanuel
And ransom captive Israel.³

One of the songs we sing at this time of year uses an interesting name for Jesus. It calls him “Immanuel.” As I read earlier, the Gospel of Matthew quotes from Isaiah’s prophecy and applies that name, Immanuel, to Jesus. It also explains what the name Immanuel means: God with us.

Let that sink in for a moment. God is with us. God is with you. God is with me. It’s really an amazing thought. 

Here’s our host, Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth (that’s her on the piano, she's playing in the background). She’s going to give us some important insight into the concept of Jesus as Immanuel. I think you’ll be encouraged by this.

Nancy: Now, there are a number of implications of this title that was given to the baby named “Immanuel.” First we know that this baby born in Bethlehem was God. Jesus is God—God with us. This is God coming to earth in human flesh, and that’s what we celebrate at the incarnation of Jesus. He came to earth. God came to earth in the form of this baby named Jesus.

John 1 says it this way: “In the beginning was the Word . . .” We talked about that name for Jesus last week. “. . . and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. . . . And the Word became flesh [thank God!] and dwelt among us” (John 1:1, 14). And so we have a God who is not some far away, distant deity, but a God who is with us where we are—a God who came to share the experiences of our lives and our humanity.

This promise, “I am with you” that God gives to us, “I will be with you” is a promise found all the way throughout God’s Word. In fact, in recent months as I’ve been reading through the Bible again, I’ve been making a note and keeping list of wherever this promise appears, “I am with you. I will be with you.” What’s neat to see is that whatever the need of the moment was, this was God’s answer—“I am with you. I will be with you.”

Let me give you some examples. In Genesis chapter 26 we read about how Isaac was moving from pillar to post, trying to support his family in the midst of a famine and arguments over water rights. And we see then in verse 24 of Genesis 26, “The Lord appeared to him . . . and said, 'I am the God of Abraham your father. Fear not, for I am with you and will bless you'" (Gen. 26:24).

And then we see Isaac’s son Jacob who manipulated and cheated to get the birthright from his brother and to get the blessing from his father. In Genesis 28 we see that Jacob is running from his estranged brother. He’s in fear for his life. God appears to Jacob in a dream, and He says, “Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land” (Gen. 28:15).

“God with us.” That is our greatest need. In every circumstance, every situation in life to know that God is with us. And here’s the good news of the gospel that Jesus is Immanuel—“God with us.” As God was with His people in the Old Testament—Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and Moses and Joshua and Gideon and Jeremiah—so God is with those who know and trust Jesus.

So what difference does that make in your life and mine here today—in your life circumstances—in mine? Well, if we know Jesus as Immanuel, that makes all the difference in the world. If you have Jesus, Immanuel, God is with you. That means that if you live in a cramped apartment the presence of Immanuel transforms that tiny space into a palace because Jesus is with you—God is with you.

Immanuel, God with us transforms ordinary moments and mundane tasks into opportunities for God’s glory to be displayed. Some of you are thinking, I wish I could have the kind of ministry she does. I wish I could really be used for God. Listen, are you taking care of three kids at home? If God is with you, if Jesus is your Immanuel, then what you are doing in the work place, in the home, in the church, in your relationships, then that is an opportunity for God’s glory to be displayed.

In every situation, in every season of life, in every circumstance, in every conversation that you have, in every gathering of believers, God is with us. And that affects everything! In that profane work environment where you’re the only believer, God is with you. When you’re checking Facebook, when you’re browsing the Internet, God is with you, in Immanuel. When your bills are greater than your income, God is with you. When you’re up in the middle of the night nursing a newborn or caring for a sick child, Immanuel, God is with you. 

When you stand at the graveside of that loved one, if you know Immanuel, God is with you. When you feel totally inadequate to do what He has called you to do, if you know Jesus as Immanuel, God is with you. If you’re a single woman or a widow, and you feel lonely, you are not alone—God is with you.

When you are fearful of what might happen to you, God is with you. We’re going to talk later in this series about how Jesus is the “Mighty God” who is with you. When your heart is breaking and sad, God is with you. His presence can give you joy in the midst of that valley—that difficult journey.

When you don't know which direction to go or what to do, if you know Jesus as Immanuel, God is with you. And that means that you have a guide for your journey.

I listened not long ago to Pastor David Platt speaking at Moody Founders’ week. I was listening on the Internet, and I love this line. He said, “Followers of Jesus don’t always know where they’re going, but they always know who they’re with.” Amen.

If you have Jesus in you, then you have God in you and with you. (applause) Yes, you can applaud for that. If you know Immanuel, if you know Jesus and God is with you, then you can be free from fear. You can have courage to step out in faith, to obey God, to fulfill His calling and His mission for your life. It’s Immanuel, God with us, that enables us to do whatever He has called us to do, because God is with us.

He has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Heb. 13:5). And that means if you have Immanuel, if you know Jesus as your Immanuel now, that means for all of eternity God will be with you, and you will be with Him.

Song: "Immanuel" 

From the squalor of a borrowed stable,
By the Spirit and a virgin’s faith;
To the anguish and the shame of scandal
Came the Saviour of the human race.
But the skies were filled with the praise of heaven,
Shepherds listen as the angels tell
Of the Gift of God come down to man
At the dawning of Immanuel.

King of heaven now the Friend of sinners,
Humble servant in the Father’s hands,
Filled with power and the Holy Spirit,
Filled with mercy for the broken man.
Yes, He walked my road and He felt my pain,
Joys and sorrows that I know so well;
Yet His righteous steps give me hope again –
I will follow my Immanuel.

Through the kisses of a friend’s betrayal,
He was lifted on a cruel cross;
He was punished for a world’s transgressions,
He was suffering to save the lost.
He fights for breath, He fights for me,
Loosing sinners from the claims of hell;
And with a shout our souls are free –
Death defeated by Immanuel.

Now He’s standing in the place of honour,
Crowned with glory on the highest throne,
Interceding for His own beloved
Till His Father calls to bring them home!
Then the skies will part as the trumpet sounds
Hope of heaven or the fear of hell;
But the Bride will run to her Lover’s arms,
Giving glory to Immanuel!⁴

Dannah: That’s Lucy Bunce, singing and playing harp on a beautiful song written by Stuart Townend. And before that, we heard from Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth sharing some powerful implications of the fact that Jesus is our Immanuel.

So no matter where you are right now, you can remember that in Jesus Christ and because of the Holy Spirit, God is with you. I hope you’ll cherish that thought this Christmas.

Yes, the Lord has come, and because of that, we have hope.

I’m Dannah Gresh, saying, "Merry Christmas, " and we’ll see you next weekend for Revive Our Hearts Weekend. 

Song: "For God Is with Us" King and Country

Did you imagine?
Dare to believe in.
The true love that gave us
A brand new beginning.

No room for a king
No celebration, no ceremony
In that little town, nobody would think,
This is the story of the coming glory.

Can you hear the prayers that people prayed?
Can you see the skies begin to break?
When heaven and earth were face to face
Oh how the world forever changed.

Oh, God is with us.
God is with us.
God is with us.
God is with us.
God is with us.
God is with us.⁵

Revive Our Hearts Weekend is calling you to freedom, fullness and fruitfulness in our Immanuel.

Songs used:

¹"Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne," Billy Ray Hearn & Tom Fettke, The Majesty and Glory of Christmas (42 Traditional Carols and Hymns) ℗ 1990 Sparrow Records.

²"Away in a Manger," Nancy Leigh DeMoss, Come Adore ℗ 2014 Revive Our Hearts.

³"O Come, O Come, Emmanuel," Nancy Leigh DeMoss, Come Adore ℗ 2014 Revive Our Hearts.

⁴"Immanuel," Stuart Townend featuring Lucy Bunce, Carols for a Celtic Christmas ℗ 2009 Kevin Mayhew Records.

⁵"For God Is with Us, " For King & Country, What Are We Waiting For? ℗ 2022 Curb | Word Entertainment.

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