Immanuel! God with us

How faithful was he,
when he was with his unfaithful people!

They have left their heavenly father.
They have forgotten their creator.
Then the enemy, the sin, bound their hands and feet.
Then the enemy, Satan, pierced their souls.
Captivated from the slavery of sin
they only brought shameful fruit in their lives.
They cried out for salvation: Save us!

Out of his burning love God stretched out his saving hands to them.
He answered the patient prayers of his godly servants.
He remembered his promise to the ancestors of faith.

He sent the long awaited Messiah to his people.
The Son of the Most High came as Immanuel
in a rugged manger of a stable
to dwell among his people,
to save his people from their sins.

How great and deep is his grace,
that he left his heavenly glory
and came to us, the unfaithful and weak sinners!
He saved us from the slavery of sin.
He paid with his glorious kingdom, with his dignity as the Son of God.
He didn’t even spare his own life
and took the cross for our sin as the sacrificial lamb.

His saving love covers our sin like snow.
His faithfulness overcomes all our unfaithfulness.
His grace of Immanuel gives us new life
with the hope of his eternal kingdom.

God was with you in your captivity of sin!
Now he comes to you as the horn of salvation
and gives you freedom, joy and peace.
He will be with you forever.
He will be with us forever.
His name is Immanuel, God with us!

2009, Dec 20th
Hanna Ryu