God Incarnate (Part 1)

Matthew 1:18–25

The story of Jesus’ birth, also known as Immanuel which means “God with us,” is a powerful one. When Joseph, who was going to marry Mary, found out she was pregnant, he planned to break up with her quietly. But an angel told him that Mary’s baby was from the Holy Spirit, so he stayed with her. This story shows us that Jesus is both God and human, and he’s always with us, which is a very important truth.

1. Jesus Christ is God

The name Immanuel tells us that Jesus Christ is actually God in human form, something many people in the Bible and followers of Jesus believe. This truth asks us to make a big decision: either we make Jesus the most important part of our lives, or we ignore him. But it also gives us hope and grace, showing us that God is committed to saving us and making the world a better place.

2. Jesus Christ is us

The story of Christmas reminds us that Jesus Christ is both God and a human being. He lived on earth and experienced tough things like poverty and suffering. Knowing that Jesus understands our pain is a huge comfort. Jesus gave up his heavenly status to be with us, and this teaches Christians to avoid feeling superior and instead, to have compassion for those who are struggling.

3. Jesus Christ is with us

The words “God with us” highlight the deep and personal relationship between God and us, his people. This means more than just knowing that Jesus was once on earth. It’s about feeling Jesus as a close friend and experiencing his power, love, and joy in our lives. This requires bravery – the bravery to face criticism from the world, to give up control of our lives, and to admit our mistakes. But when we see the courage Jesus had because of his love, we can also find the strength to make him the center of our lives.