This is how Jesus Christ was born. A young woman named Mary was engaged to Joseph from King David’s family. But before they were married, she learned that she was going to have a baby by God’s Holy Spirit. Joseph was a good man and did not want to embarrass Mary in front of everyone. So he decided to quietly call off the wedding. While Joseph was thinking about this, an angel from the Lord came to him in a dream. The angel said, “Joseph, the baby that Mary will have is from the Holy Spirit. Go ahead and marry her. Then after her baby is born, name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins. So the Lord’s promise came true, just as the prophet had said, “A virgin will have a baby boy, and he will be called Immanuel which means “God is with us.” After Joseph woke up, he and Mary were soon married, just as the Lord’s angel had told him to do. But they did not sleep together before her baby was born. Then Joseph named him Jesus.
Matthew 1: 18-25
Reflect on the word IMMANUEL for a few moments.
Immanuel – God is with us.
As we re-tell the stories of Christ’s birth, as we listen or sing familiar carols and songs, as we gather round a festive meal or when we attend a worship service it is easy to feel that God is with us. Families and friends gather round BBQs in celebration. Children race around in excitement, shrieking and laughing in backyards and homes. “It’s Jesus’ birthday and we’re celebrating!”
Some sit alone in a rented room, in a shelter or on a street corner. Do they feel that God is with them?
Some make their way to Soup Kitchens, thankful that they are not forgotten on Christmas Day. Being politically correct in our secular society the word “Immanuel” and its meaning may not be talked of here.
“A virgin will have a baby boy, and he will be called “Immanuel, “which means “God is with us”.
The message of Christmas brings good news to all the world. I praise and thank you, Immanuel: God is with us!
© Ranjini Wickramaratne-Rebera
For a number of years, our dear friend Ranjini Rebera wrote Biblical reflections for the use of Gungahlin Uniting Church and others, usually for Advent and Lent. We were privileged to receive these, as Ranjini had a working history of writing and teaching on a global stage. Each time she completed the considerable work on one of these studies for us she would announce firmly, ‘That’s it. That is the last one I’m writing. No more. End of story!’ But as Advent or Lent came around again she would start hinting that she’d had an idea for a reflection – and she would write another one.
When she completed a Reflection for Lent 2021, we were not to know that this really was the last one. Ranjini died on 13 October 2021. We miss her intellect, her leadership, her vivid personality, her artistic gifts, her deep faith and her pastoral heart. We have lost some colour from our world.
The Gungahlin Uniting Church Worship Team, where Ranjini served for several years, offers Ranjini’s study material, first produced in 2015, as we give thanks for her life shared among us.