EMMANUEL AND THE DEAF

“Behold a virgin shall be with Child,
and she shall bring forth a Son,
and they shall call His name Emmanuel,
which being interpreted is,
God with us.”
Matthew 1:23

What a prophecy! What a message! A virgin would conceive, give birth to a Baby Boy, and her Son would be called Emmanuel, meaning, “God with us”.

And that is exactly what happened, as you well know.

It is Christmas time again. What a wonderful time of the year! It is a time for remembering one of the greatest miracles of all time: God the Son was born in human flesh. Messiah came and “tabernacled” among us. He was with us!

Not only did Christ come and dwell with us then, but also He comes and dwells with all who repent of sin and trust Him as Saviour and Lord. What another miracle: God dwelling, not only with man, but in man as well!

Now after 2000 years, we all celebrate Christmas and glory in the story of the Christ-child. We all know the reason for the season. Right?

Wrong! Do you realize as you sing “Silent Night, Holy Night” and “Away In A Manger” that most of the deaf of this world have never once “heard” the story of Jesus’ birth? Sure they see manger scenes, in some areas of the world, but do they understand the significance of the scene? No. I’ve met many deaf who have seen the body of a dead man on a crucifix but have no idea what it is all about. They don’t know that the representation of the Baby in the manger or of the Man on the cross is depicting God our Saviour.

Can you imagine having never heard of Christ’s birth or of Calvary? Neither can I. But that is reality for the vast majority of the deaf in this world.

Who will tell the deaf of Jesus’ birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and offer of salvation? Will you go and preach of Emmanuel to the deaf in India, South Africa, Romania, France, Honduras, or Brazil?

Silent Word Ministries International (SWMI) is praying for laborers to go to countries such as these and establish ministries among the deaf and to train national leadership for ongoing deaf outreach.

Would you, please, join us in praying for laborers to go and reach the deaf worldwide?

Would you pray about having SWMI come and represent this need in your church? We are available for mission conferences in both hearing churches and deaf churches.

Would you pray about financially supporting the work of SWMI monthly?

Would you pray about and consider going as a missionary to the deaf around the world?

If you would like information regarding your part in reaching the many deaf of this world, please, contact Rev. David Bennett, International Mission’s Director of SWMI.

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