A YouTube Advent Calendar: December 10

Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel. He shall eat curds and honey by the time he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good.

-    Isaiah 7

“Immanuel” (also spelled “Emmanuel”) means “God with us.” God doesn’t just hang back and wait for us to straighten the world out. God doesn’t come rushing in to help, either. God comes in due time—at the right time—and we need to wait.

But waiting doesn’t have to mean sitting around in the doctor’s office reading outdated magazines. Waiting in prayer and expectation is a very active kind of waiting.

Here is Sufjan Stevens’ recording of the ancient hymn “O Come, O Come Emmanuel.”