In Matthew 1:23 an angel tells Joseph in a dream that Mary's child will be called Emmanuel. The Gospel of Matthew explains the name: it means God with us. It was spoken over a baby, about God coming close to every person. Later, armies stamped "God with us" on their gear, as if God took their side.
A dream in the night
The story is in the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 1. Joseph was a carpenter engaged to marry a young woman named Mary. He found out she was going to have a baby, and he knew it was not his. He was a kind man. He planned to end the engagement quietly, so she would not be shamed.
Then an angel came to him in a dream. The angel told him not to be afraid to take Mary as his wife. The child was from God. He was to name the boy Jesus.
The Gospel of Matthew says this fit the words of an old prophet, Isaiah.
Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
Matthew 1:23 · King James Version
The name
Emmanuel is a Hebrew name, Immanu El. Immanu means "with us," and El means "God." The Gospel of Matthew translates it for its Greek readers: God with us.
It was said over a newborn baby. God was coming close, as a person, to ordinary people.
Stamped on a belt
For about a hundred years, German soldiers wore belt buckles stamped with the same words in German: Gott mit uns, "God with us." In the First World War, soldiers on both sides of the trenches prayed to the same God. Each side asked him to help them win.
The words spoken over a baby ended up on the belt of a man sent out to kill.
What it means
"Us" in that name was never one army or one nation. It meant everyone. God came close to the soldiers in both trenches, and to the families waiting at home.
If you have heard God claimed for one side, the name itself says he came to be with all of us.
You can read the full teaching free in the Mercy app.
Read the whole chapter: Matthew 1
1The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.
2Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren;
3And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram;
4And Aram begat Aminadab; and Aminadab begat Naasson; and Naasson begat Salmon;
5And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse;
6And Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias;
7And Solomon begat Roboam; and Roboam begat Abia; and Abia begat Asa;
8And Asa begat Josaphat; and Josaphat begat Joram; and Joram begat Ozias;
9And Ozias begat Joatham; and Joatham begat Achaz; and Achaz begat Ezekias;
10And Ezekias begat Manasses; and Manasses begat Amon; and Amon begat Josias;
11And Josias begat Jechonias and his brethren, about the time they were carried away to Babylon:
12And after they were brought to Babylon, Jechonias begat Salathiel; and Salathiel begat Zorobabel;
13And Zorobabel begat Abiud; and Abiud begat Eliakim; and Eliakim begat Azor;
14And Azor begat Sadoc; and Sadoc begat Achim; and Achim begat Eliud;
15And Eliud begat Eleazar; and Eleazar begat Matthan; and Matthan begat Jacob;
16And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.
17So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations.
18ΒΆ Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
19Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.
20But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
21And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
22Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
23Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
24Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:
25And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.
King James Version