Have you ever lost baby Jesus at Christmas? Well, we have. It happens almost every year at our house! We finish decorating for Christmas and high five ourselves on a job well done. Then, we look at one of our nativity sets, realize the teeny tiny Jesus is missing, and rifle through tissue paper and boxes hoping we find Jesus.
It’s easy to lose baby Jesus. He is the smallest piece of almost every nativity set. I guess that is the point though, isn’t it? We are celebrating everything that comes with the birth of a baby: the joy, the preciousness and the smallness of a little human just starting His journey.
We call this the incarnation and it is this wonderfully complex idea that Jesus brought heaven to earth within himself. John 1:14 says “… the Word became human and made His home among us.” It would be impossible to fully understand all that the incarnation means. He left his space in heaven to become a part of his own creation. This incarnated Jesus would be King of his people and lead them into lives that are flourishing. He chose the option that would inevitably include growing pains, awkward teenage years and the inescapable stubbing of toes.
He did it to show His love for us and the value He sees in each of us. He came to bring heaven to earth and show us an example of what a full life could look like. He became human to show us that we are not alone. Jesus did life with us to show us that now matter where we are or what is happening he has experienced something similar. He is prepared to walk with us through it.
My hope for us this advent is that the wonder of God becoming man would bring us a refreshed sense of peace, hope and comfort. No matter our circumstances this Christmas season, we have a King who knows this life and is more than available to walk with us through it.
— John Sorrell, Generation Ministries Pastor
