Advent: Who Is Jesus?

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

John 1:14 ESV

After our family tree was decorated sixties-style and the felt tree skirt lay around the stand, our nativity set and stable were unwrapped and placed on the handcrafted stereo cabinet. Joseph, Mary, an angel, a couple of shepherds, animals, and three kingly-type men with gifts gathered around baby Jesus in a manger. This replica of an ancient historic scene was merely a part of our Christmas holiday decorations. But who were these people? I wondered through the years. Who was Jesus? Why do we celebrate His birth? Traditional carols gave me a clue, but not much else.

I had no answers about Christmas for years to come. An empty heart and external activities were all I knew.

In high school, I heard the good news of great joy (Luke 2:10) as information only.  The Good News explained what Jesus, as an adult, did for me on the cross. But why did it matter that Jesus, who helped create this world, left heaven to be born as a baby? I knew a snippet of his mother, Mary, who miraculously conceived and gave birth to a son, to be called Immanuel—God with us (Isaiah 7:14). Fully human yet fully divine. It remained a mystery to me.

Then, as an introverted 20-year-old college student on the verge of a nervous breakdown, God softened my heart to receive Jesus in an eternal, personal relationship. I hungered to learn from the Bible and know the Christmas story. Jesus had to come as a baby to be God with us, Immanuel. Unblemished, foretold as the coming Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6).

Jesus, Lord at Your birth, I worship You, from Your humble entrance into this world thousands of years ago. You have infinite significance, and the others included in Your story matter, too. I look forward to meeting all in eternity as we bow before You.

Karen Sims