Christmas has passed, but the truths about Him are still true, of course. He is Messiah, Savior, Mighty God, Lord of Lords, King of Kings, etc. And He is Immanuel, or "God with us." In Jesus, God put on meat (carne) -- hence the "Incarnation."
At His birth, do you really think it was a "silent night"? Do you think that it was a place where "no crying He makes"? Because babies cry when they are cold, hungry, have dirty diapers, or whatever. Just because Jesus is deity does not mean He was immune to His environment or physical needs.
Throughout His life, Jesus was like us. He got tired, hungry, sad, disappointed. He had difficult days, and people let Him down. He became like us. Except Jesus never let His physical circumstances lead Him into sin (Hebrews 4:14-15).
Jesus is a lot like us (His physical situation affected Him), and so much different (He trusted the Father in those difficulties).
Jesus "put on meat" to be like us, so that He could minister to us intimately. Likewise, we are called to be incarnational to others -- friends, community, church, and definitely our children. Live and suffer with others. Enter into their world, meet them on their ground. Don't put on a fake smile; share your hardships with them, as appropriate. Admit your mistakes, and forgive theirs. Ask for help, and give it.
As we go into 2011, remember that Jesus is still "Immanuel" and He understands what you are going through. And remember that we must be Immanuel for those in our lives.
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Good post. I've been thinking about these truths a lot recently, as well.
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