So, God came to earth, became man and died on the cross. What does that mean to me?
The incarnation shows us that God truly loves us enough to make a way for us through Jesus. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John. 3:16).
The incarnation shows us that Jesus understands our hurt, our struggles and our temptations. “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin” (Hebrews 4:15, NIV).
The incarnation sets in motion the plan for our hope for eternity found in Jesus. Jesus did not deserve death but died. We deserved punishment but received forgiveness. “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade” (I Peter 1:3, 4).
Have a very merry and meaningful Christmas as we rejoice in the incarnation, Immanuel, God with us!
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