The answer is: God is with us

Immanuel (OT) or Emmanuel (NT) appears 3 times in the Bible and means "God with us".

The name "Emmanuel" carries profound significance, especially when we consider the context of its appearances in both the Old and New Testaments. Originating in Hebrew, the name encapsulates the essence of the divine presence among humanity. Picture the moment: in a world filled with uncertainty and dread, the promise that "God is with us" is awe-inspiring, providing hope to the weary hearts of God's people.

In Isaiah 7:14, we see the first mention of Emmanuel during a tumultuous time for Israel when the kings of Judah were under threat. This prophetic assurance was not just about the birth of a future king; it was about divine intervention and reassurance that God had not abandoned His people. Fast forward to the New Testament, where Matthew 1:23 attaches this name to the birth of Jesus, pointing back to the prophecy and declaring Jesus as the fulfillment of this profound promise.

Did you know that during ancient times, the physical spaces where people gathered to worship often symbolized the presence of God? Consider temples filled with incense and prayer as earthly realms where worshipers felt connected to the divine. Just as those temples connected humanity to the holy, Emmanuel signifies a moving force – God coming in human form to show individuals that their Creator truly empathizes with their struggles.

So, as we reflect on "God with us," let it serve as a reminder, not only of Jesus's earthly mission but also of the enduring presence and support felt in moments of despair or joy.