Immanuel — God With Us

“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and they shall call His name

Immanuel,” which means, God with us. — Matthew 1:23

The name Immanuel is more than a title we read during Christmas. It is the heartbeat of the gospel—God Himself stepping into our world, into our humanity, into our joy and our sorrow.

Immanuel means you are never alone, not in your brightest moments and not in your darkest nights.

For many, the holiday season is filled with celebration. But for others, it carries a quiet ache—an empty chair at the table, a loved one deeply missed, a relationship strained, a season of life that feels heavy instead of hopeful. This can make us feel isolated or misunderstood.

But this is exactly the world Jesus entered.

He came into the mess, into the brokenness, into the grief of humanity. Immanuel means He doesn’t stand far off, waiting for us to “pull it together.” He comes close. He sits with us. He carries what we can’t.

In our grief, He is our comfort.

In our questions, He is our wisdom.

In our weariness, He is our rest.

In our sorrow, He is our peace.

And because He is with us, we can also experience joy — not the surface level cheer the world offers, but a deep, steady joy that springs from His presence.

His joy is not the absence of pain; it is the presence of a Savior who holds us through it. His peace is not dependent on circumstances; it flows from knowing the One who has overcome the world walks beside us.

So whether this season brings delight or difficulty, celebration or sorrow, let the name Immanuel speak to your soul:

God is with you in the room.

God is with you in the silence.

God is with you in the laughter.

God is with you in the tears.

He is with you, and He is enough.

~ Words by Anna-lisa Tuupo