The Celebration of God-With-Us
Christmas reminds us that God is not distant or detached. Jesus, the second person of the Trinity, becomes a human being, born of a virgin woman.
Christmas reminds us that God is not distant or detached. He is not a set of propositions to be grasped by people who belong to the upper crust of intellectuals. He is not a concept to be explained by philosophers in cold terms like unmoved mover. True religion is not a mindset.
No, the Gospels tell a Christmas story about a real person, Jesus, who comes on the scene within a story of named people, specific events, and particular places. Birth is a real bodily experience, not conceptual. An infant’s cries hurt our ears. Diapers stimulate our noses.
That is the manner of being-with-us which causes the Christmas celebration of Emmanuel. Jesus, the second person of the Trinity, becomes a human being, born of a virgin woman—human life by the Spirit.
In the Gospel of John, as Jesus’ life unfolds among real people in concrete settings, Jesus reveals the practical meaning of the incarnation. His “I am” statements are both descriptions of himself and are a revelation of the down-to-earth, wise, caring love of the one, true creator God:
I am the bread of life – “I became human to nourish your deepest hungers.” Bread is an important substance, sustaining our bodily life. But we are fundamentally spiritual beings. What substance can sustain that sort of life? The food that sustains eternal life is not a loaf, but a person. Such sustenance comes from trusting and following Jesus.
I am the light of the world –“I became a man to reveal reality and show the way.” The world is dark, confusing, even scary. Jesus lights this darkness, reveals reality, and lights up a safe path for life’s twists and turns.
I am the door of the sheep – “I place my incarnate body between you and destruction.” Jesus is our protector from the tough and alarming vulnerabilities of life. Jesus provides the sense of contentment that comes when we know our needs are the priority of the one in power. Jesus’ priority is you. He lays down at the gates of our lives every day. Jesus’ security is a reality any one can enter.
I am the good Shepherd – “Since I am working, you can be at peace in my care.” Jesus is committed to caring for and watching over those who belong to him. Our faith could not withstand life without his personal care. Wolves of despair would tear away at our soul. Thieves would destroy or steal our hope. Or we might simply wander off by our own volition. The Good Shepherd, in his trustworthy provision, never allows us to be tempted or tested beyond that which we can bear—and his presence is hope in the midst of pain.
I am the resurrection and the life – “Your life in mine; you are alive and safe forever.” Not even death is outside the care and protection of God. Death, the ultimate fear of humanity, is not the final word for those in Christ. A new resurrected body, suitable to the new heaven and new earth, is your future, not decay and dust.
I am the way, the truth, and the life – “I am the archetype of humanity as God intended.” Jesus was consciously aware that he was the source of all truthful understanding about God. Jesus is the walkable pathway, the enlightening certainty, and the giver of true being.
I am the true vine – “The life of God flows through my being to you.” Jesus as the vine is a stable, central, core. There is an invitation implied here for our topsy-turvy lives: Abide in me. Fasten yourself to me, and you will find the spiritual abundance you seek.
(If you want to hear more about this, keep an eye out for my upcoming book from IVP, What Jesus Intended: Finding True Faith in the Rubble of Bad Religion.)
Jesus was deeply aware of who he was, why he mattered and how his life both worked within and was meant to change human life, to be the shining example of humanity as God intended, the exemplar of the good religion we all seek.
The Bible readings for Christmas rejoice in these various ways Jesus appeared, describing his life and work as good news of great joy for all the people. The crescendo of these readings remind us that we celebrate a God through whom:
The Word became flesh and blood,
and moved into the neighborhood.
We saw the glory with our own eyes,
the one-of-a-kind glory,
like Father, like Son,
Generous inside and out,
true from start to finish.
John 1:14 MSG
My favorite Christmas reading is this: Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart (Luke 2:19). Mary provokes me to cultivate noticing God and the Jesus-work he wants to do in and through me.
In the year to come, let’s cultivate the ability to notice God—and experience uninhibited delight in God’s presence with us in Jesus.
Merry Christmas to you!
Thank you, Bishop Todd. I will read this over and over. You help me understand the “with God” life, as did/does Dallas Willard. I’m trying to notice the Trinity in the every day nitty gritty of life. I’m especially trying to discern His presence, guidance, comfort in the difficult seasons of loss, heartbreak and disappointment. These are times I am most vulnerable to distrust His love, goodness, ways, provision, help and protection. 🙏🏾