Emmanuel, God with us. God with us.

Each of this three-word phrase has profound significance.

“God” - This being is not just some other human. This being is not just some foreign alien. This being is not just some super-being. This being is the God of Israel--the one who takes the least of these as his children. 

“us” - We are not some super beings. We are not desirable. We are not perfected works of art. We are deplorable, despicable, and dejected. 

“with” - Yet this God decides to show love in the most undignified way to these beings--us. He decides to be with us. Not just liberate us. Not just redeem us. Not just save us. But to embrace us, to hold us, to keep us, to be with us. 

Pie Jesu: Pious Jesus or Merciful Jesus.