Emmanuel

(From mural in a Bethlehem chapel)

"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." (Matt. 1:23)

With us. Not a high priest afar off who can't be touched. In the flesh. Fully man yet fully God. 

Veiled in flesh the Godhead see;

Hail th’incarnate Deity,

Pleased with us in flesh to dwell,

Jesus our Emmanuel.

Mild He lays His glory by,

Born that man no more may die.

Born to raise the sons of earth,

Born to give them second birth.

(From "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" by Charles Wesley)

"But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart." (Luke 2:19)

The Eastern Gate

I will meet you in the morning,
Just inside the Eastern Gate.
Then be ready, faithful pilgrim,
Lest with you it be too late.

If you hasten off to glory,
Linger near the Eastern Gate,
For I’m coming in the morning;
So you’ll not have long to wait.

Keep your lamps all trimmed and burning;
For the Bridegroom watch and wait.
He’ll be with us at the meeting
Just inside the Eastern Gate.

O the joys of that glad meeting
With the saints who for us wait!
What a blessèd, happy meeting
Just inside the Eastern Gate!

I will meet you, I will meet you
Just inside the Eastern Gate over there.
I will meet you, I will meet you,
I will meet you in the morning over there.

--Isaiah G. Martin

He is Not Here!

"He is not here: for he is risen, as he said." (Matt. 28:6)
As He said.

Very simple. As Paul put it,

"Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;"
According to the scriptures.

"He was buried."
Period? No!

"He rose again the third day according to the scriptures:"
According to the scriptures.

He is Risen, indeed.

(1 Cor. 15:3-4)