Matthew1:23 - Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
Christmas means many different things to many different people; some say that it bears no real significance, that it is a great family time, just simply a cultural tradition, or maybe a time to show goodwill and kindness towards people. Others would just rather skip the whole thing and have nothing to do with it. Whatever one’s stance is toward the celebration and meaning of Christmas, the fact that the whole world takes notice of this season is a testimony to the historic reality of Jesus, the actuality of His birth and the impact and influence of those few years that He lived among us on Earth.
The meaning and significance of Christmas is wrapped up in those three very potent and compelling words: God with us. Just think of it; the All-Powerful God chose to be with us. He came to be with us. He made the initial move toward connection with us. He reached out and touched us. God with us. He identified with us in every aspect by becoming a man. As we ponder the fact that Jesus was born into this world as a little babe, a picturesque word comes to mind: embedded.
A journalist might be sent to a war-torn nation to cover the story closely, and in order to cover it closely and effectively, that journalist might actually live with the soldiers; eating, sleeping and walking with them into battle. He then would be present when the active fighting occurs; bullets whizzing by, explosions too close for comfort and wounded soldiers at every side. He is with the unit; he is accompanying their every move and experiencing what they are going through. We call that an embedded journalist. In a much more powerful way God literally embedded Himself into the womb of humanity. He could get no closer; the Seed of God was implanted and organically united to mankind. God with us.
God submitted Himself to the process of gestation and birth without giving up His Heavenly identity. He became a man. God with us; Divine with human; Perfection with imperfection; Uncommon with common; Light with darkness; Strength with weakness; Hope with despair; God with us. And not only was He born as a babe but He grew as a child and developed into a man. He lived with us; He walked with us; He cried with us and He laughed with us. Jesus experienced the complete gamut of human emotions and circumstances. He knows what it is to be full of energy and He knows what it is to be exhausted. He knows what it is to be hungry and He knows what it is to enjoy a meal with friends. He was loved by many and hated by many. He was trusted and He was tested. He was believed and He was accused. He knew joy and He knew sorrow. He had friends that loved Him and then He had those same friends betray Him. He absolutely surrendered His right to defend Himself. God with us.
Many of us will spend the next few days with family and with friends, enjoying the blessing of close relationships; food, drink, laughter, hugs. However, many will also be alone, and some who are not necessarily alone may still be lonely. Sometimes this season brings to mind what we may not have or maybe what we once had but have since lost. No matter what difficulties we may be experiencing this year, whether it is a sickness, a loss of a loved one, a broken marriage, or a betrayal of trust, I hope that we can be reminded of this amazing truth; Jesus is the same as He always has been. He will never change. He came to be with us and He has never left. He is with you and He is with me. He remains eternally the God who understands; the One who never leaves us nor forsakes us; He is the Embedded One: God with us!
