THANKFUL

Chatting with Jesus

Monday, December 19, 2022

Lord, when You came to us, You didn’t identify with the elitists, or the “haves.” You had to identified with the common people, the “have nots.”

You weren’t born in a cosmopolitan city, in a hospital equipped with the finest staff. Far from it. You were born in a dirty, smelly stable in Bethlehem, a small village known for raising sheep for Temple sacrifice. Only a few barnyard animals witnessed Your arrival. And poor Joseph! A carpenter by trade, experienced on the job training in birthing the Son of God.

Kings and priests didn’t herald Your birth. Luke 2 describes the Christmas story of heavenly angels, singing praises to God, announcing to shepherds the Advent of the Messiah, the promised one—Immanuel— “God with us!”

Thousands didn’t gather outside Your house, hoping for a glimpse of their newborn king, but with inexpressible joy, the shepherds rushed to Bethlehem to worship their newborn king. That is so much like You, Lord. The first to worship You here were the common people, simple shepherds, but oh, they recognized the glory of Your arrival and worshiped with the angels. Two years later, wise men from the east who recognized You as the Messiah and travels for months to worship You, bringing You gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

You had to come to us as a commoner, otherwise, how could You identify with our plight? Because in Your humanity, You could identify how we broken people suffer, how we struggle with everyday life in this fallen world. You identified with our temptations, with our weaknesses, or joys and sorrows, our highs and lows, yet You remained sinless. You fought the same battles we fight daily and conquered every one. Therefore, only You could be the “Lamb of God,” the perfect sacrifice to take away our sins and give eternal life to all who believe in You. (John 1).

How fitting You were born in Bethlehem, the village known for raising lambs for sacrifices for sins. May we always worship You as such, Lord, our personal Lamb of God who took away our sins. Amen, Jesus.