Immanuel: God With Us

This is the English-translated outline of the Sermon preached by Rev. Musubi Tabuchi to the congregations of Ashiya Christian Church on Sunday, December 21, 2025, drawing from Matthew 1:18-25

Every Christmas, this passage from the Gospel of Matthew is always read, but this account of the foretelling of Jesus' birth is not something we easily grasp, at least at first glance. The relationship between Mary and her betrothed husband Joseph seems to have been a source of deep distress for Joseph. This is why the angel had to persuade Joseph, saying, “Do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife.” This story shows that even Joseph could not readily accept the birth of Jesus. That doubt is the beginning of the Christmas story.

And for Mary too, her relationship with Joseph must have been painful. She was carrying the Son of God, conceived by the Holy Spirit; a situation absolutely no one accepted, not even Joseph, who should have been her closest confidant. Amidst this incredibly difficult situation for the young couple, the angel revealed its meaning through the name “Immanuel” (God is with us).

For us, troubles, suffering, and hardship are things we very much wish to avoid. But as we walk through life, they are sadly unavoidable. And in those times especially, God is with us in all our difficult situations. That is the meaning of Jesus Christ coming to us. May each of us this Christmas receive the deep, true comfort shown by Jesus coming to us in our raw, lonely, plain and simple daily lives; a comfort not revealed with drama or theatrics, but by the Son of God being born in a simple stable. This is a fundamental comfort, something far greater than simply seeking joy and pleasure to distract us from life's realities or to forget them.

Let us pray.

God, may we feel Your love and comfort in the fact that You brought Your only Son, Jesus, into the world not in power, but in poverty. Grant that we may each receive the deepest gratitude and joy at this time. In the name of Jesus Christ, the Lord of Christmas, we pray.

Amen.