Matt.1:23
- 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 employment, 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!
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