God with Us

God the Father hugs the Son, buries His face in His Son’s cheek, and kisses Him. The time has come.

The Father holds His Son’s hands in His and tenderly touches the center of His palm. He knows what’s coming. A tear rolls down the face of the Ancient of Days. The Son thumbs it away. “I’ll miss you.”

As He turns to leave, His eyes are piercing, penetrating, inviting. He smiles. “We’re going to need more rooms in this house when I come back.” He waves His hand across the timeline. “Because I’m bringing them with Me.” The Son exits heaven blanketed in the singing of more than a hundred million angels and bathed in the tears of the Father.

The Word becomes flesh, and He is gone.

About nine months later . . .

It is dark. Past the evening meal. A young man leads a young girl riding a donkey up a small trail into Bethlehem. He is pensive. Every few seconds, he glances over his shoulder.

The rumors have preceded them. As have the whispers. She’s pregnant but not with his child, and to complicate matters, they’re not married. It’s a scandal. According to Jewish law, he should put her out, and she should be stoned.

The innkeeper has had a long day. He watches warily. The tired young man asks, “Sir, do you have a room?”

The innkeeper shakes his head. “Full up.”

The girl winces. The contractions have started. The innkeeper’s wife eyes the barn and whispers, “We can make room.”

The innkeeper and the young man stand at the door of the stable—little more than a cave carved into the rock wall. The animals seem amused at the ruckus. The young man shuffles nervously.

Behind them, the screams begin.

The innkeeper’s wife calls from the stall. Her voice trembles. “Honey, I need some hot water.”

Above, a star has risen. Abnormally bright.

The innkeeper returns as the cries of a baby pierce the night air. The child’s lungs are strong. The young man exhales a breath he has been holding for a little over nine months. The innkeeper stokes the fire in the corner and hugs the young man. “Come!”

The young mother stares at the boy and hears the echo of the angel that appeared to her some ten months ago: “He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.” (Luke 1:32-33)

She turns to the man who did not leave her when he had every right. The honorable man who will be her husband. She hands him the boy and speaks His name, “Yeshua Hamashiach.”

The star above them is daylight bright and casts their shadows on the ground. Voices. Singing at the top of their lungs: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” (Luke 2:14)

The innkeeper knows now. He bows low and speaks loud enough for the young couple to hear:

“The Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14)

God with us.

Respond

God with us, describe His presence in your life?

What are some areas of your life where you need to include God?

Prayer

Father, thank You for loving us enough to send Your Son to save mankind.