Immanuel: The Joy that Dispels all Gloom
God makes us glad with His presence (Acts 2:28). His presence among us, with us, is the means by which our gladness is created and maintained. He is the source of all joy and pleasure (Psalm 16:11). The reason God's people can be and should be glad is because of God's presence! "Sing for joy and be glad, O daughter of Zion; for behold 1 am coming and I will dwell in your midst,' declares the LORD." (Zech 2:10).
It is gladness that is the result of the LORD's arrival, a gladness that supersedes and swallows up the gloom and anguish caused by our sin. The people of God will be glad in the presence of the LORD (Isa 9:3). That is what this passage is about. Isaiah is calling out to a broken hearted and despairing people - the LORD is coming! Soon your gloom and sorrow, your anguish and despair will be no more! You will be glad as with the relief and joy of a harvest gathered or a battle escaped. What is the reason for this gladness? It is the arrival of God the Son in human flesh! (Isa 9:6). A human child will be born who is none other that the Wonder producing God of the Old Testament. He is the Mighty God, the Eternal Father, the Prince of Peace. It is this child who will fulfill the prophecies spoken to David regarding an heir who would reign forever over God's unending and unconquerable kingdom! (Isa 9:6-7).
God the Son has taken on a human nature in addition to His divine nature in order to dwell with us. He is Immanuel, God with us (Matt 1:23). He is the fulfillment of the temple itself, "And the Word [Jesus] became flesh and dwelt [tabernacled] among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth." (John 1:14). This Word is God and this word took on human nature, flesh, in order that He might die in our place and set us free from our enslavement to sin (Rev 2:5). His blood has released us from our sins so that we are free from that which separates us from God (Isa 59:2), from that which separates us from Him who is the the source of gladness and peace, joy and pleasure.
God the Son took on human nature and died in order to "bring us to God" (1 Pet 3:18). Now "the ransomed of the LORD will return, and come with joyful shouting to Zion, with everlasting joy upon their heads. They will find gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing will flee away." (Isa 35:10). God makes us glad with Himself. This Christmas you must understand that your gladness, your joy, your peace is all the result of the awesome work of Christ our Lord. Celebrate the arrival of Christ, the God Man! Celebrate Christ who brings us back to God! Celebrate Christ who makes us glad as God with us! Celebrate Christ as God the Son who overcomes our sin which separates us from God. Be glad this Christmas, but not in the cheap pretend gladness of sentimentality. Be glad in God! Be glad because Christ has brought to God! Be glad brothers and sisters and let sorrow and sighing flee away for nothing in all existence can separate you from Him who makes you glad! (Rom 8:37-39).