"The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." John 1:14
The miracle of the incarnation is often buried beneath all the trappings and wrappings of Christmas.
When I really stop to ponder it in my heart, the truth of God coming here to be with me is worth more than all the presents in the world. It's not just that Jesus was born in Bethlehem, lived a good life helping others and was crucified in Jerusalem. As awesome as that is, the incarnation without the resurrection would put my God in the tomb forever.
But the empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives! As the song says, "Because He lives, I can face tomorrow; because He lives, all fear is gone. Because I know He holds the future, my life is worth the living just because He lives."
God knows when I sit and when I rise (Psalm 139: 2). He walks with me through dark valleys (Psalm 23:4), providing comfort and refuge. He searches for the lost, brings back the strays, binds up the injured and strengthens the weak (Ezekiel 34: 15, 16). He goes before me, hems me in with loving protection and directs my steps, never leaving me nor forsaking me. (Deuteronomy 31:8) The God of all creation is my God!
Years ago, I recorded this quote by a Scottish preacher named John Ker in my journal:
"The history of all God's dealings with man is the record of an approach nearer still, and nearer, until, in the Incarnate Son, he shares all our sorrows and carries our sins, 'til faith puts its fingers into the print of the nails, its hands into the wounded side, and constrains us to cry, 'My Lord and my God!'"
From the manger to the empty tomb, God demonstrated just how much he loves us and desires to be with us. So, Merry Christmas and Happy Easter to all, and to all a good night!
"Look! God's dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes." Revelation 21: 3, 4
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