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And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, 

and we have seen his glory,

glory as of the only Son from the Father,

full of grace and truth.

John 1:14

The Word, Jesus (cf. vss. 1-5 of John 1) , came to earth as not only GOD, but a human as well.  He came here to live with us.  He put aside all His entitlements and privileges, humbled Himself and came to earth as a baby.  When I think about that, my mind gets tangled up quickly!  The GOD of the universe lays it all aside in order to do what it takes for a relationship to happen between Him and humans.

As humans, we were powerless to develop a relationship with Him.  GOD is holy and can’t coexist with sin…making it all the more scandalous that He would come to earth, take on human flesh and live among us.

He came and told us what we were to be like.  He showed us  what complete obedience to the Law of GOD looked like.

And then, at the end of His life on earth, He died as the eternal sacrifice for sin…completely fulfilling the Law as demonstrated by the  veil in the temple between the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies being torn from top to bottom just as He died!

No longer were sacrifices needed.  Sin was paid for by the infinite GOD/man…Jesus Christ.   The infinite sacrifice was made and sin had been paid for by GOD whose blood was shed as He died for sin.  The penalty was only able to be paid by someone who had lived a perfect life as the man Jesus, did.

So the comforting word at this time of year?

Emmanuel has come.

GOD is with us.  

He has come to make His dwelling place with us.

He has provided a way to redeem us.  But part of the process was His coming to dwell with us.  GOD coming to dwell with me in my mess.  But He did even more!  He finished the job.  He bridged the gap so that I didn’t need to stay in my mess.

So the reminder is that Christ is born.  GOD kept His promise!

“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,

 and they shall call his name Immanuel”

(which means, God with us).

Matthew 1:21-23/Isaiah 7:14

Is GOD dwelling with you?

During this Christmas season, how does your lifestyle show that GOD is with you…to your family, to your neighbors, to your community?

This was written 12/16/12 after a concert of Christmas music during the morning worship service.  It was definitely a ramble…but often that is what happens when I think about Christmas.  It is a jumble of memories, theology, music and GOD’s Word.  Updated 12/4/13.