Sunday, December 5

 
“God with us” – Emmanuel
 
This morning we celebrated the second week of Advent, in preparation of the coming of Christ to the world two thousand years ago, as well as the second coming, and took part in the Lord’s Supper.  I love the combination of these two.  It feels like we are celebrating and committing ourselves to the birth, death, and then the second coming of Jesus all at once.  These two events, I think, depict God’s complete commitment and steadfast love for us, now and forever.  (Even so, I caught myself busy thinking about things-to-do for the fast approaching Christmas season.  That would be some kind of advent activity on a personal level, wouldn’t it?)
 
When Andrew spoke of “our” song, Oh come, oh come, Emmanuel, I felt that it could easily be “our” song for everyone who believes in God, whose presence is in us for every moment of our life, hence, Emmanuel, “God with us.”  It was not us who came up with that name, or title, for Christ, but it was God himself who gave that name to His only son.  Perhaps, this was God’s way of saying that He wants to be with us, among us.  I just hope that my thoughts, words, or actions would not muck up His desire to be with us, or hinder anyone else wanting to get closer to God.
 
Jonathan K.