Second Week of Advent: “Emmanuel”

 Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son,

   and shall call his name Emmanuel. (Isaiah 7:14)

I thought his name was “Jesus.” That’s the name revealed to Mary and Joseph: “You are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” That’s the name given to him when they went to the Temple to present their baby for circumcision: “After eight days had passed, it was time to circumcise the child; and he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel…” (Lk 2:21). That’s the name the sticks even to this day—even into Glory: "It is I, Jesus, who sent my angel to you with this testimony for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star" (Rv 22:16).

Yet, for Jesus to be Jesus—the God who saves us, salvages us, forgives us our sins and sets us free; he must be the promised Emmanuel which means “God with us” (Mt 1:23). This salvation must come from the outside—from God’s side, God’s decision, God’s timing. During Advent we anticipate this action on God’s part. On Christmas we celebrate Emmanuel—God the Son, the Eternal Logos, becomes man to save humanity and set us free.

Gregory of Nazianzus (4^th cent.), one of the best of those early church fathers, put it this way: “That which [Christ] has not assumed he has not healed, but whatever is united with his divinity has been saved.” We call that the “Incarnation,” meaning that the eternal person of God the Son became man “for us and for our salvation.” Jesus/Emmanuel, one person “without confusion, without change, without division, and without separation” (Chalcedonian Creed). Emmanuel in a manger. Emmanuel, “conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary” (Apostles’ Creed). Man, in his power, steps aside. Joseph looks on. Emmanuel has to do with the woman and the serpent and God’s decision to redeem his creation (Gn 3:15).

Daily Readings for Second Week of Advent: Love

        Monday:       Jeremiah 31:3-6   &  First John 4:7-9

        Tuesday:       Psalm 145:8-9      &  John 3:16-17

        Wednesday: Psalm 145:11-14 &  Romans 8:38-39

        Thursday:     Isaiah 11:1-2        &  Luke 1:34-38

        Friday:           Isaiah 7:14           &  Matthew 1:18-25

        Saturday:      Psalm 98:3            &  Second Corinthians 13:13