Sign of God With Us

Ahaz is offered a sign he refuses; God gives one anywaya child whose name means God with us. Matthew reads that promise through Josephs dream and Marys womb, where Emmanuel takes flesh. Advent expectation narrows to a name: Gods nearness is not a concept but a childquiet, disruptive, and faithfularriving precisely where fear would settle for lesser securities. Isaiah 7:1016; Psalm 80:17, 1719; Romans 1:17;Matthew 1:1825.