When an Extraordinary God Comes to an Ordinary World

" Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you." ~Luke 2:11

From Luke 2:1-7:

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.

4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

Thanks be to God.

For many years, I’ve failed to recognize the gravity of this story. I don’t know about you, but it’s easy to go through the Christmas motions, sing carols, get shoved around in the busy stores, buy presents for loved ones, and allow the true meaning of Christmas to slip by. Even when I stop to read the Christmas story, I fail to let the eternal significance of these powerful words sink in.

In one sentence, this is what Christmas means: Our extraordinary God came down to this ordinary world to dwell among us.

Our God cared enough to enter into this broken world in the most vulnerable state and walk through each of the developmental years just like we did (even puberty, guys!). All throughout His life, Jesus made Himself obedient to God’s plan, even to the cross.  What a remarkable God we serve!

If you struggle to find God in the ordinary of your life (I’m right there with you; it’s not always easy!), remember that He came down to the ordinary so that you could one day be lifted up to His extraordinary home in heaven.

Merry Christmas, friends. I wish you a blessed holiday with your loved ones. At some point in your day, I hope you take a moment to pause and reflect on what Christmas means for your life.​

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Photocred: Unsplash