Originally published Monday, 20 December 2021.
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.
Isaiah 7:14 (NIV)
Immanuel is Your holy name.
I marvel at the way You came.
God with us in helpless infant form,
Only a mother’s love to keep You warm.
Expectations of Your coming were high:
A King to conquer, not a babe to cry.
The words of prophecy long misread
Foretold Your kingdom in our hearts instead.
You took on flesh not to defeat mere men
With armies of hundreds marching again.
It was the power of death You would slay
Upon the cross on that prophesied day.
But first You were born to bear our cross,
To face temptation, sorrow, and loss.
Yet never to sin—as we often do—
And become our Shepherd faithful and true.
Your birth we joyfully celebrate
As Your second coming we await.
We give presents to honor Your great gift
And our voices in hymns of praise we lift.
We string lights to recall the star that led
Wise men from afar to Your manger bed.
Shepherds, angels, and nativity scenes
Remind us what Your virgin birth means.
Sometimes we forget, we must confess,
And get caught up in the holiday stress.
Worrying that everything be just right;
The absurdity is quite a sight.
You with us is all we truly need,
As long ago in Your Word was decreed.
Immanuel, the name You were given
When You came down from Your throne in heaven.
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6 (NIV)
Linda L. Kruschke is the author of My Name Is Beloved, winner of the Unpublished Memoir category of the Oregon Christian Writers Cascade Writing Contest, as well as a self-published author of two poetry books. She is a wife, mother, active member of her church, former Bible Study Fellowship leader, and recovering lawyer. She works as the Director of Legal Publications for the Oregon State Bar. But her real passion is sharing God’s healing grace with others, especially those haunted by sexual trauma and abortion. She struggled with major clinical depression for many years, but through the power of forgiveness has become a fearless follower of Christ, living in the assurance of her salvation and God’s love. She blogs at Another Fearless Year and Broken Believers.
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