The Word Became Flesh

Emmanuel. . . God with us. . . The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. . .

This is what we celebrate at Christmas. God became one of us and joined us in all of our messiness so that we could get to know Him. Growing up, going to school, helping his step-dad, eating, going to weddings, working, and a lot of just regular life. Yes, there was lots of teaching and miracles and ultimately His death and resurrection, but what I’ve been thinking about lately is how much of just regular life He lived with people before that.

And in some little way, as His ambassador, I get the privilege to do the same here. Yes, I’m here to share the same message that Jesus came to share 2000 years ago. But before I have the right, or even the ability to speak, I have a lot of “regular life” to do first – cooking, cleaning, working in the fields, getting water at the pump, spending time with people, helping kids with their homework, etc. Before I can speak into their lives, I have to live their lives with them. Yes, it’s a slow, sometimes painful, sometimes yucky process, but it’s also a beautiful example that I get to live out with my new family and friends here of Emmanuel, God with us.

Merry Christmas! Wherever you are, may you be a little “God with us” to those around you. And if you don’t know how, seek out someone who is showing you “God with us,” and ask them to help you shine for Him, too.