The apostle Paul, writing to Timothy, said "Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in a body, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory." (1Timothy 3:16) This is one of the Bible's most concise statements of the events of the work of Jesus, the son of God in making salvation for sinful man possible.
      At Christmas time, more people think about Jesus as God's son than perhaps any other time of the year. But what difference does Jesus' incarnation make for us? This is an all important question if we are to benefit fully from what he did while here. Among others, it means that:
      1. Jesus came in the flesh to experience, and thus is able to sympathize with the limitations of living in a fleshly body. Even though he is God, for a brief period of some 33 years, he experienced every temptation we do. He knows our lot, because he shared in it, "yet without sin." (Hebrews. 4:15) Because he knows human life from experience, he is able to fully relate to us and is in a position to better help us.
      2. Because he died for us, he destroyed the power of Satan, and freed us from the stranglehold of the fear of death. (Heb.2:14-18) The devil wants to not only make us miserable in this life; he also wants us to suffer in the terrors of eternal damnation. Sin separates us from God, but because of what Jesus did, we can be forgiven and reunited with him.
      3. Having returned to his position of authority at his Father's right hand, he sent the Holy Spirit to be our "Comforter." The Spirit has a number of functions in his relation to God. As our Comforter, he helps us deal with the trials and difficulties of life.
      4. The crucified and risen Christ is at the right hand of God, interceding for us. Trusting in him, we can't be separated from his love. (Romans 8:34) Note Paul didn't say we can't be separated from God, but from his love. Jesus loved even Judas, his betrayer. And he loves us, no matter what we do. He will not force us to serve him, but he has done and will continue to do everything possible to help us be saved from sin.
      5. Through Jesus, "the Word of life," we enjoy fellowship with God, with one another, and are able to "walk in the light as he is in the light, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin." (1 John1:7) The Psalmist wrote, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path." (Psalm 119:105) Walking in the light is seeking to follow the will of God as revealed in his Word, the Bible.
      There are other things true because Jesus came into the world. It's impossible for our finite human minds to fully grasp the beauty and glory of his nature and his love for us. As Christians, let us face the future with gratefulness, joy and a determination to show our appreciation for his sacrifice.