Welcome to the Christmas season! I picked my daughter up from work the other night, and on the way home she said, “Wow! Can we turn around and see those Christmas lights?” I wanted to just keep driving, but hey, it’s Christmas time. So, we turned around and went back to see a stranger’s house and yard fully decked out for the holidays.
As we put up decorations and shop for that perfect gift, may we reflect back on the Baby born in Bethlehem so long ago. And remember He was promised even longer ago than that.
Jesus is the Offspring of the woman foretold in Genesis 3:15. He would be born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14) through a miracle of the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:35). He would be heir to David’s throne (Jeremiah 23:5), and “and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).
Jesus’ miraculous conception is only part of the story, because although He grew to be a man, He was like no other man. For, “they shall call His name ‘Immanuel’ (which means, God with us),” (Matthew 1:23). This is why we celebrate. This is why we drive out of our way to see beautiful decorations. God became a man.
Jesus became one of us that He might live a perfect life and die to take away the penalty against all who would trust in Him (Hebrews 2:14-17). Because He was born for us, He could die for us, rise again, and be “God with us” the rest of our lives, as He told His disciples, “Behold, I am with you always” (Matthew 28:20).
What tidings of comfort and joy! This Christmas season, may we reflect more than ever on the coming of Immanuel, “God with us.”
