God came down

Listening to my six-CD stack of Christmas music while baking ginger cookies, I was struck by the same story repeated in the songs. The story was told from different perspectives - Mary’s, the angels, the shepherd’s, Joseph’s - but the main point was the same. God came down.

That’s the good news of Christmas. God came down. Creator God, Holy One, King of Kings, Lord of Lords, the Great I AM, Mighty God – yes, this very One came down… in human flesh.

I think we all agree that God is powerful and majestic and glorious and awesome (as much as any human can comprehend these characteristics of God). There is often, however, resistance in acknowledging that God comes down to us, and instead, we think we must first come up to His level. How... preposterous! Totally impossible, actually. God comes down to us…as He always has.

God came down in the beginning to the first man and woman. First he breathed His breath of life into the nostrils of the man he formed from the dust. Then, in the cool of the day, God walked with Adam and Eve in the garden. Genesis 3

As Abraham was sitting at the door of his tent he saw three men under the tree. God came down in the form of a man along with two others. He ate the meal Abraham prepared for Him. Abraham walked with Him, listened to Him, stood with Him, and even negotiated with Him. Genesis 18

God also came down to Moses – many times. Moses asked God to show him His glory. God granted his request. “Then the LORD came down in the cloud and stood there with him…” Exodus 33:12 - 34:10

And then for the whole world… how did He come? God came as a baby. Mary carried the God-child in her body. She nursed him. Think about that. God came down...and in a very intimate way.

Today, for me and you, God comes down by His Spirit and makes His home in those who believe. He lives in us. That’s close.

Our gracious and compassionate God came the entire distance that was between frail humanity and Great Deity. Through Christ’s life, death and resurrection there is now no distance or separation between us who believe and God.

Jesus says, “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.” Rev 3:20

O Lord Jesus, I open my door and welcome you! I want to live life - all of life - with you!