And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
– Luke 1:30-32
“Fear not, Mary…” Heaven’s first message to her is the same message God still whispers to us: Do not be afraid. Before the miracle, before the calling, before the responsibility, grace comes first.
“Thou hast found favor with God.” Not earned. Not achieved. Found. Favor that rests on her before she ever carries Christ in her womb — the same favor that rests on us because of the One she would carry.
“Thou shalt call his name JESUS.” A name that means The Lord saves. Before He speaks a word, before He performs a miracle, His very name declares His mission.
“He shall be great… the Son of the Highes” Greatness defined not by power, but by humility, the Highest choosing to come through the lowliest door.
“The Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David.” A promise kept. A kingdom not built by force, but by love. A throne not of gold, but of a cross, and then an empty tomb.
The angel’s gesture, Mary’s bowed head. It’s the stillness before the miracle, the hush before heaven sings.
’Twas the Night Before Jesus Was Born‘
’Twas, the night before Christmas, and all through the earth, not a creature was stirring, awaiting His birth. The prophecies whispered, the stars held their breath, as heaven prepared for love’s holy descent.
The stable was silent, the hay softly laid, while Mary and Joseph knelt humbly and prayed. No sleigh bells, no reindeer, no stockings, no tree, just the hush of a promise, and grace’s decree.
The shepherds were watching their flocks in the night, when angels burst forth in glorious light. “Fear not,” they proclaimed, “for good news we bring, a Savior is born, Heaven’s own King!”
No chimney, no cookies, no jolly old elf, just Emmanuel coming to dwell with Himself. Not gifts wrapped in paper, but mercy and peace, not toys, but salvation that never will cease.
He came not with magic, but miracles true, not with red velvet, but skies split in blue. The manger His throne, the cross yet to come, The Lamb wrapped in cloth, God’s own Son.
So now when we gather on Christmas Eve night, let candles be lit with His holy light. Let hearts be the hearth where His love is reborn, for Jesus, not Santa, is why we adorn.
The name Emanuel is of
Hebrew origin,
derived from the word
“Immanuel,” meaning
“God is with us.”
It combines
“Immanu”
(with us) and “El” (God).
This name holds
significant biblical
importance,
first appearing
in the Book of Isaiah
as a prophetic name
for the Messiah,
symbolizing divine
presence and protection.
May this Christmas Eve
be wrapped in peace,
lit by holy light,
and filled with the quiet
joy of Emmanuel.
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