I want to take a brief moment this Christmas Eve to remind you all of something that I needed to be reminded of this year: Emmanuel. I’ve heard about the incarnation so many times that it’s easy to forget what a miracle it was.

The God who is spirit (John 4:24) became flesh (John 1:14) in order to be accessible to us.

Flesh and blood, capable of dying, and willing to die. (Philippians 2:5-11)

In a year full of tragedy, fear, and isolation, let’s take a moment to reflect on the God who came to be with us. The God who is always with us. The God who left heaven for us and died to get close to us.

Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. . . The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:12, 14)

Submit yourselves then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you.” (James 4:7-8)