IMMANUEL (or Emmanuel) is the name given to Jesus Christ as the deliverer or Messiah of Judah—and ultimately the Savior of the world. Biblical names had meaning. When you said or heard a person's name, you got a glimpse into their life, character, or prophetic impact. The name Jesus means Savior. The name Christ or Messiah means anointed or empowered. That means Jesus Christ is the One who has been anointed or empowered by God the Father to save us from our sins. The name Immanuel means God with us. Isaiah prophesied that Jesus, the Jewish Messiah and King, would come as a sign that God would protect the monarchy of the house of David:
Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14)
In Matthew 1:18-25, the apostle gives his account of the incarnation—which means God the Son coming in bodily form as Jesus, the Christ. He did not come into the world without controversy. His coming was rather scandalous:
18Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. 19Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. 20But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”
Though Jewish people had heard Isaiah's prophecy for hundreds of years; I can imagine it was startling and unbelievable to Joseph (and Mary for that matter) that they were the ones chosen to naturally parent the Christ-child. The immaculate conception was one of over 300 prophecies Jesus fulfilled proving that He was the Messiah. Matthew refers back to Isaiah:
22So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: 23“Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.” 24Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, 25and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus.
Amidst the hustle and bustle, opening gifts, celebrations and food...let's remember that Jesus Christ the Savior is Immanuel, God with us. Though his birth was more likely in a warmer season, let's not forget that He is and will always be the reason. | 
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