Immanuel in History

There is no person who does not live in a time and place. That is why when we are born, we receive a birth certificate, marking the exact date, time, and location of our arrival in this world. Our existence is tied to both time and space, but how long does it last? It lasts until the day we die. When we die, the date, time, and place of our death are recorded in a death certificate. Together, these two documents mark our place in history. Our birth and death testify to our existence as historical individuals, confined by time and place. No matter how many places we visit, we remain bound by time. Even the locations we explore are just a tiny part of the vast universe.

The question is: does history truly matter? For some, our personal history may seem insignificant. However, it is crucial to understand that our actions in history determine how we will be judged by God in eternity. This is why we must not dismiss history or the times and places we have lived through. In all of history, only one life transcends time, one life that created, embraced, and will ultimately judge all history. That life is the life of Jesus Christ, born on Christmas Day. He was not shaped by history; He existed before time itself, and after everything is judged, He will still exist—forever and ever.

Consider this building (Indonesia Arena), designed by a great architect who ensured its strength and durability. Yet, even this impressive structure can only house tens of thousands. But there is an Architect greater than all—He designed the universe from eternity to eternity. Known as the Wisdom of God, the Word of God, and the Counselor, He is the wisest being in the universe. The sun was designed not to be too close to the earth, lest we melt from the heat, and not too far, so that we still receive enough warmth. Everything God created is beautiful and accurate because it was designed by an Architect with infinite Wisdom. This Wise Architect, this Wise Man, was then born as a human, and we celebrate this moment at Christmas.

Human logic struggles to comprehend why Jesus, God Himself, would choose to become human. But for God, nothing is impossible. He, the Almighty, can accomplish what humans deem impossible—He entered our finite world from infinity, becoming one of us. When God is willing to come down into the world, this becomes a hope for believers. Other religions do not provide this hope because in their religion God is God and humans are humans, and the two are not related. Therefore, in Chinese philosophy, the highest achievement of human greatness is the unification of heaven and humanity. Reconciling heaven and earth is considered the ultimate goal of human culture. But this is just an ideal—a high and perfect concept that has never been realized. In Christianity, God and human beings are reconciled because God gives forgiveness, and humans confess their sins, accepting the peace God offers. When Jesus was born, the angels proclaimed, “Glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth to those on whom His favor rests.” This declaration surpasses all human efforts to unite heaven and earth—this union was achieved through Jesus’ birth.

Do we often think of Christmas as just a day to exchange gifts or sing carols in shopping malls? No! Christmas marks the day when God entered our world to demonstrate His love and concern for the people He created. God is with us—this is the meaning of Immanuel. The most unfortunate person is one who lives without God’s presence, facing pain, loneliness, and despair alone. The happiest person is one who lives with God, feeling His presence in every moment. How do Christians know that God is with us and does not abandon us? The answer is because there is Christmas. Immanuel in history means that God entered His creation and lived among humans. Do we know why we cry, complain, or grieve? It is because we are not aware that God is with us. If we are aware that God is with us, we will rejoice in His presence and will have no need to complain, cry, or despair.

Before Jesus was born, there was a prophecy given to Adam that a woman would give birth to a “female seed,” and this seed would fight against the devil’s seed to save mankind. Who is this “female seed”? Aren’t all people female seeds? No! No human being can be called a “female seed” because every person born has a father. Therefore, all people are born as male seeds. The “female seed” refers to a miraculous conception—there is no sexual intercourse between a woman and a man. The Bible is the first to mention the “female seed,” and this prophecy points to the birth of Jesus, even before humans were conceived. Thousands of years later, a prophet foretold, “Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son.” A virgin means an unmarried woman, with no intercourse or sexual relationship. Biologically, this is impossible because a female chromosome only contains the XX elements, not the Y element necessary for a male. Therefore, a son born from a woman without any sexual intercourse is a miraculous sign and a divine miracle. When the angel warned Joseph not to divorce Mary, it was because the child in her womb was conceived by the Holy Spirit, who would save mankind.

God becoming human does not mean that Mary created Jesus. Jesus is not a creation; He was born by the power of the Holy Spirit, making Him the only one in the world who was born not as a creature. God becoming human means that God visited us and met the people He created. Why? Because He loves us. As Christians, we must be grateful because we understand that humanity and the universe were not created to be discarded. In fact, Jesus willingly entered the created world for us. Jesus had flesh like humans and was raised as an ordinary human. If Jesus, who is God, did not have flesh, He could not be a mediator. If He had only divine nature and no human nature, He could not possibly be the Mediator. What is a mediator? A mediator is someone who stands between God, the Creator, and humans, the created; between God, who is holy, and humans, who are sinful.

Without a Mediator, God could not unite with humans. If Jesus were not human, He could not be tortured, punished on the cross, or die in our place. That is why, on the cross, He called out twice: first, He represented God, saying, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they have done,” and then, He represented humanity, saying, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” Why the shift from calling God “Father” to calling Him “God”? When He said “Father,” He was speaking as God; when He said “God,” He was speaking as human. Because Jesus endured punishment and exile, we are saved. His love for us is so great that He was willing to die for us. But does His death mean His love is stop and gone? Praise God, because Jesus was both human and divine. He could die for us, and because He is divine, He could rise again. If He had only died and not risen, He would not have conquered death, and the world would have no hope.

So, do we understand why He is called Immanuel? Do we understand why Christmas matters? Because the Word became flesh, God became human, and is with us. He came down to earth to bear the punishment for our sins. Have we thanked Him for taking our place? Do we realize that Jesus has a divine nature and rose to defeat sin and death? Once we understand all these things, we are called to rise, accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, confess our sins, and follow Him for life. (G.N.S.)