Congratulations to all our students who completed the Fall term! Well done.

The Chapel is taking a break for Christmas and New Year. We will resume our regular communal spiritual practices after the January RFS, beginning on Tuesday, January 20. Check the Luther Community Calendar for details.

God is With Us | A Devo for Advent 4

What does God’s love look like? It is summed up in one word: Immanuel. This is a compound Hebrew word combining the word im-anu, which means “with us” with the word el, which means “God.” It only appears twice in the Hebrew scripture, both times in Isaiah 7.

Isaiah was a prophet who was called to confront Ahaz, the corrupt King of Judah. Isaiah’s wife was going to have a child. The child’s life was going to serve like a time piece. Ahaz’s plans would be laid to waste by the time this child gets old enough to eat solid food on his own. The child was to be named Immanuel. Isaiah’s child was a sign to the people that, no matter how bad it might seem, God is with us.

Fast forward six centuries. Joseph is engaged to Mary. She is pregnant and he knows it is not his. He is distraught as Mary is cast in the shadow of disgrace. A messenger from God visits Joseph in a dream and tells him not to be afraid. Name the child Jesus, the messenger says, because that name means “God saves.” This child will grow up to save his people.

Matthew, the author of the Gospel, interprets this dream for us by quoting Isaiah 7:14. Matthew tells us that Jesus is God-with-us. Our reading from Romans shows us that the Apostle Paul fully believed that this baby born to Mary did grow up to be the savior. Through the crucified and resurrected Son of God we have received grace.

As we light the candle of love this week, may you remember that God is with us. No matter how dark it may seem outside, the light of God’s love lights the way.