Emmanuel: God with us
Emanuel: My Grandpa Reinhold's name
At Christmas time, I cannot help but think of Grandpa often as I hear and read of the coming of Jesus, born in a stable two millennia ago. The Hebrew spelling, Immanuel, still meant the same and was to be proclaimed.... "God with us".
Many of us mistakenly perceive that Jesus started there in Bethlehem. Not True. John chapter 1 states simply that Jesus has always been. John 3:16 states, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life." Because Jesus came to earth as a man, We have the opportunity to come into a very special relationship with God through Him. Salvation is offered to all that will repent and accept the gift. Jesus came to earth so that we can realize in a very personal way... "God with us".
So many have chosen to ignore the privilege and benefits of having God with us. And the benefits are huge... Jesus stated that He came so that we may have life and have life more abundantly. What a blessing that is. "God with us..." Yes, at Christmas time many will ponder "God with us" and yet many will choose not to be with God because they reject Jesus. How sad.
A recollection that my Dad would tell of his dad, Emanuel, was during my Grandpa's final days on this earth. He spent some of his final breaths singing softly the words of the old hymn...
Some golden daybreak Jesus will come
Some golden daybreak, battles all won
He’ll shout the victory, break through the blue
Some golden daybreak, for me, for you.
God with us... Something to ponder during this Christmas season. As we think of Jesus coming to earth as a baby and realize someday He will return and call us to be forever with Him if we have received the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ?
Photos are of Grandpa Emanuel Reinhold, Grandma Hazel and my Dad Tige.