Shared by Willow Point Baptist Church
Emmanuel. God with us. Then, now, and always.
Long before the manger, the star, or the shepherds’ song, the birth of Christ was spoken into history. The prophet Isaiah, writing nearly seven centuries before Jesus was born, declared, “Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14) Immanuel—God with us. The promise was set in motion long before the world realized it needed to be saved .
In the quiet town of Nazareth, God sent the archangel Gabriel to a young woman named Mary. Scripture tells us Mary was humble, faithful, and chosen. Gabriel greeted her, saying, “Hail, thou that art highly favored,” and revealed that she would conceive and bear a son—Jesus—the One whose kingdom would never end. (Luke 1:26–33)
Mary received this calling on her life with wonder, asking how such a thing could be. Gabriel answered that this child would be conceived not by earthly means, but by the power of the Holy Spirit. “The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee… therefore that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.” (Luke 1:34–35) His birth would be miraculous—divine.
When Mary told Joseph she was expecting, he struggled, wanting to do what was right. But God sent a messenger to him as well, assuring him that the child was from the Holy Spirit. So, Joseph, obedient and steadfast, took Mary as his wife and awaited the child to be born. (Matthew 1:19–25)
On the night Christ entered the world, heaven chose an extraordinary audience for the announcement—not royalty, not the powerful, but shepherds in a field. As they kept watch, an angel appeared, and the glory of the Lord surrounded them. In their fear, they were told words that still echo in every heart that seeks hope:
“Fear not: for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:8–11)
This message was not only for the learned, or the deserving, or the holy. It was for all people. For every household, every nation, every generation. And it is still being spoken today—whispering comfort, offering joy, and reminding us that the Savior came for each one of us.
Across distant lands, wise men saw a star rise and followed it, seeking the One born King of the Jews. They journeyed far to worship Him. (Matthew 2:1–2) The news of His birth spread, retold by many who saw and believed. Luke would later write that eyewitnesses carefully recorded these events so that we might know the truth and the certainty of what took place. (Luke 1:1–3)
And so, in Bethlehem, in a humble manger, the divine entered the world as a child. Jesus—Savior, Redeemer, God’s gift of love to all humanity.
This is the miracle of Christmas. This is the story we return to each year. Not simply to remember what happened, but to remember why.
Because God came near. Because hope was born. Because love came wrapped in swaddling cloth, lying in a manger.
Willow Point Baptist Church
5500 S. Lakeshore Dr. Shreveport, LA 71119 • (318) 631-8500
Pastor: Dr. Kenny Joyner
Sunday Bible Study | 9:30 a.m. • Worship | 10:45 a.m.
WED Mid-week Bible Study | 6:00 p.m.