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December 22

God Is Coming To Earth

Text: Matthew 1:22-23

I love history—mainly church history. But if I could meet someone from history it would be Abraham Lincoln and from church history, Martin Luther. Abraham Lincoln was a great storyteller. Luther had a brewery in his basement, an ex-nun for a wife and a notoriously sharp tongue. That would be some dinner party. But to hear the announcement that God is coming to Earth, well—I would be speechless. But that is what the prophet Isaiah said. 

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). (Matthew 1:22-23)

There have been great authors throughout human history and no one could have concocted this story. It is utterly beyond the mind of any human, which reinforces that if it is true, this story could ONLY come from the mind and power of God. This is what the Christian believes. We believe that God clothed Himself with humanity, came to Earth through the virgin birth and lived among us. Jesus of Nazareth was (and still is) the God-man, a being who is fully God and fully man. It is no wonder thousands followed Him. It is no wonder thousands reject His claims. This truth changes everything. This truth shakes the soul of every human. This truth is the only power who can make straight what is bent, heal what is broken, bring peace out of chaos. Most people still love the darkness more than the Light. 

It is accurate to say that God slept beside us. God wept in front of us. God touched the unclean. God shared a meal. God, adding to Himself a human nature, suffered, bled, slept, urinated, laughed, endured temptation, felt betrayal and said goodbye to His mother. And because He was truly human, He could be our substitute. He drank the cup, enduring the horrors of Hell, so you wouldn’t have to. This is the Christmas story. This is the gift every human can open. Please open it. Christmas is almost within our grasp.