In preparing for the birthday celebration of Jesus Christ … at our church (and I’m sure many churches around the world) … during the month of December we have studied the familiar words from the New Testament book of John chapter 1.

“So the Word became human flesh and lived here on earth among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen His glory, the glory of the only Son of the Father. John pointed Him out to the people. He shouted to the crowds, ‘This is the One I was talking about when I said, ‘Someone is coming who is far greater than I am, for He existed long before I did.’ We have all benefitted from the rich blessings He brought to us – one blessing after another. For the law was given through Moses; God’s unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. But His only Son, who is Himself God, is near to the Father’s heart; and He has shown us what God is like.”

With these words fresh on our mind … let’s reflect on this insight from the book God Came Near to help us focus on our Christmas celebration …

“It all happened in a moment, a most remarkable moment that was like none other. For through that segment of time a spectacular thing occurred. God became a man.

While the creatures of earth walked unaware, Divinity arrived. Heaven opened herself and placed her most precious One in a human womb.

God as a fetus.

Holiness sleeping in a womb.

The Creator of life being created.

God was given eyebrows … elbows … two kidneys … and a spleen. He stretched against the walls and floated in the amniotic fluids of His mother.

God had come near.

No silk.

No ivory.

No hype.

To think of Jesus in such a light is – – well, it seems almost irreverent, doesn’t it? It is much easier to keep the humanity out of the incarnation.

But … don’t do it!

For heaven’s sake, don’t!

Let Him be as human as He intended to be.

Let Him into the mire and muck of your world.

For only if you let Him in – can He pull you out.”

My prayer for you this Christmas is that you will sense the extreme love and amazing grace of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ, permeating every fiber of your being.

May your Christmas celebration be especially blessed!