God with us

We look to Christmas, the memory of the birth of Jesus over 2000 years ago and thus to Immanuel «God with us». We believe that he was born the Son of God, a person of flesh and blood and full of the Holy Spirit. At the same time we read Jesus' words, which show that he is in the Father, how he lives in us and we in him.

Yes it is! Jesus gave up his divine form when he became human. He reconciled us, his siblings burdened with guilt, to our Father through his bloodshed on the cross. Therefore, from God's perspective, we are now pure and perfectly beautiful like freshly fallen snow.
There is only one condition to experience this wonderful joy: Believe this truth, this good news!

I am rewriting this condition in words from the book of Isaiah 55,8-13 something like this: God's thoughts and ways are so much more powerful than ours, as heaven is higher than earth. Rain and snow do not return to heaven, but rather dampen the earth and bear fruit so that people, animals and plants can be fed. But not only that, God's word is also heard by many people and brings rich blessings.

It is our duty to go out in joy and peace and to preach this good news. Then, as the prophet Isaiah said, even the mountains and hills in front of us will rejoice and shout, and all the trees in the field will clap their hands and cheer and ... all this will be done for the eternal glory of God.

The prophet Isaiah announced Immanuel about seven hundred years before his birth and Jesus actually came to earth to bring hope, confidence and eternal life to the battered and despondent people. In the meantime he is back at his father's side and is preparing everything to have us with him soon. Jesus will return to bring us home.

by Toni Püntener