Jesus, Our Emmanuel All Year

“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). (Matthew 1:23)

We usually think of Jesus as Emmanuel, God with us, at Christmas time. After all, Christ’s birth was when Isaiah’s promise of Emmanuel was fulfilled (Matthew 1:22–23). But Jesus is Emmanuel all the time. God is not distant or far off, as so many religions teach. He is right here—he is “with us.” What a joyous and comforting thought!

This is just one of the attributes of God that children will learn about through our Answers VBS, Mystery Island. As they discover there is one true God, they will also discover that he is with us. Jesus as Emmanuel is the theme of day four of our VBS week, the day we focus specifically on the gospel message (the gospel is presented each day, with an emphasis on day four). God with us is a precious truth that children need to learn.

This Christmas, as you reflect on our Emmanuel, consider teaching children this truth this summer with Answers VBS.