Thoughts About Christmas

Two words came to my mind as I think about this holiday called Christmas. First, the word “omnipresence.” It’s an attribute only of God and means “present everywhere,” occupying no space. Since God created space, He is greater than space and thus could not have occupied it before its existence (1 Kings 8:27). Otherwise, space would be greater than God. Impossible! However, God’s omnipresence allows Him to be simultaneously present as an external being in His created space. His active presence in the universe and our world is called “immanence.” He keeps all things in the universe intact (Col. 1:16-17). Therefore, He has to be present everywhere to keep it intact. This brings me to my second word: “incarnation.” It means “in the flesh” and refers only to Christ’s conception in the womb of the Virgin Mary. This is supported by John 1:14 – “the Word (God/Christ) became flesh (Jesus). Thus, God became human, characteristically being “Immanuel” (God with us). It’s very important to believe this (1 John 4:1-3). The natural birth of Jesus, then, was the result of a miraculous conception (Luke 1:35). Therefore, the incarnation was God entering His created space in a physical body. He was still omnipresent although His incarnation veiled His deistic glory during his life on earth. Incredible but true! His physical life began in a manger in Bethlehem and ended for our sins on a cross near Jerusalem. His glorified body began after His resurrection and ascended into heaven forty days later (Acts 1:3). He is coming back again (Acts 1:11). Maybe He will on Christmas Day. What a day of rejoicing that will be for those who truly know Him (1 Peter 1:8-9). Blessings!