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

This familiar passage has been on my mind over the last few days and weeks as the Christmas holiday approaches. I have always found comfort in the name Immanuel during trying times because it provides assurance of God's presence. This morning, however, I realized how narrow my application of this concept has become.

My wife and I were recently given an audio version of the Bible so I decided to make an effort to spend my morning commute (which runs 45-60 minutes) listening to the word of God instead of music or sports talk radio. This morning I began in Genesis with the plan of eventually making it through Revelation. As the story of Creation transitioned into the story of man's Fall, one passage in particular stood out to me:

''And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man and said to him, 'Where are you?''' -- Genesis 3:8-9 (ESV)

It seems clear that prior to the Fall, Adam had a special relationship with God. Not only had he received God's image and spirit during the creation process, but afterwards he very literally walked with God. When Adam and Eve were banished from the Garden of Eden in Genesis 3:23, they were sent away from the presence of God. This is what makes Matthew 1:23 (and Isaiah 7:14) such an amazingly powerful verse. By taking the title ''Immanuel'', God is signifying to his creation that the period of exile is coming to an end. No longer will man be banished from the Lord's presence. Instead, God is once again coming to walk on the earth and fellowship with his creation.

The story of Christmas is very much the story of man's redemption and restoration. Sin had severed the relationship we once enjoyed with God, and since we were incapable of reconciling ourselves to God, God took it upon himself to reconcile us to him.

O come, Thou Key of David, come,
And open wide our heavenly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery.

Rejoice, rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.