Christmas often leaves us looking for something more.  Expectations are high, but our celebrations rarely deliver.  And even when we take to heart Linus’ words that Christmas is about the birth of a Savior, we are left wondering what type of Savior He is.  Is He a mere teacher, who increased the demands of the law from mere outward conformity, to the perfect obedience of heart, mind, soul and strength?  Is He a mere example, come to demonstrate to us how to love and sacrifice for one another?  Or should we look for something more? 

In Matthew 1, Joseph wrestled with the revelation of Mary’s pregnancy.   How should he respond?   What was to become of her?  And what about the child?  In a dream, an angel of the Lord points him to Isaiah 7:14, the promise of Immanuel.  And while Mary’s honor is vindicated, but this promise means much, much more.  They are given to reveal to Joseph and to us, that this child is much more than a mere human.  Or our catechism says, he is “one who is a true and sinless man, and yet more powerful than all creatures, that is, one who is at the same time true God.”   This is the only type of savior we should seek.  The doctrine of the Virgin Birth is not meant to tell us about Mary, but about Jesus.   The grace that is ours in the gospel is much more than we imagine or expected.  Listen as we examine God’s promise of Immanuel in Isaiah 7:1-17 and consider how God’s gracious promise points to something much more than we hope or imagine.