Thought for Today: “At Jesus’s Birth God Becomes Personal”

“Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day” (Luke 2:10-11a)

One of the names given to Jesus is “Immanuel,” which means, “God with us.” God personally chose to involve Himself in the redemption of humanity. Quoting from the prophet Isaiah about the coming Messiah, Matthew talks about how this name describes Jesus.

“‘Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,’ which is translated, ‘God with us.’” (Matthew 1:23; Isaiah 6:14)

And of Jesus, John said that “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God … And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:1, 14)

This concept of God’s personal touch is best demonstrated in that God wants to have that personal relationship with us so that we can be His sons and daughters.

“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.” (John 1:12)

Therefore, we benefit at the birth of Jesus in that God becomes personally involved in our lives.