Four – The Number of Immanuel

About the Book

Secular observance of the Christmas season has become over-commercialized and at minimum does not focus properly on the significance of Christ’s birth – the arrival of Immanuel! Sadly, even religious observance has at times become stale, with too much emphasis given to entertainment which results in artificial joy. In general, cultural mindset has missed the magnitude of Immanuel’s coming; both secular and spiritual have overlooked the elegant hope and unfettered joy of the Savior’s birth. Here we celebrate the Christmas season fittingly by exploring the numbers (and their meaning) found in the familiar Christmas accounts (Matthew 1-2, Luke 1-2). We gain understanding by reviewing the appearance of number four in accounts of the Savior’s birth. Within this specialized topic, we avoid bland secular and trite religious observance of Christmas and instead center on the character of our Lord Jesus Christ. By the numbers, the birth accounts of Jesus proclaim the most joyful news ever given – the Savior has come to earth.

About the Author

Dr. David Elliott has taught Sunday School and Bible studies for over 35 years. With training in science and math, plus a lifetime of studying the orderliness of the created realm, he studies Scripture with the eye of a scientist; analysis of numbers and listings flows out of his training and interests. Dr. Elliott is Professor of Chemistry and Chair, Department of Natural Sciences / Mathematics at Louisiana Christian University in Pineville, Louisiana. He holds degrees in Biology from LCU and in Polymer Science from the University of Southern Mississippi. He holds the Kirby Professorship of Chemistry at LCU. Before joining the faculty at LCU, Dr. Elliott had a career in research and development at Unilever Research, at Calgon Corporation, and at The Gillette Company. He has been named inventor on 18 US patents.