Why Jesus?

At this time of year I cannot help but think - why Jesus? Why did God humble Himself into a baby? Why a lowly town like Nazareth when the Bible states nothing good ever came from Nazareth? Why a stable filled with filthy livestock? Why an infant?

To truly understand, we have to look at a time before Jesus inhabited the earth. During the Old Testament times, we witness life without the Messiah. Only one person was allowed access into the inner courts - the holy of holies. This man went through the rituals of ceremonial cleansing and tied bells and a rope around him if he died others could pull him out of the temple. People fell dead simply from touching the ark - Jews did not even dare to spell the name of God.

Through Jesus, God breaks the barrier. We now have Immanuel, God with us. That humble baby lying vulnerable in a manger changed the relationship between God and man for eternity. God now revealed as Abba - daddy. A God who welcomes children, whose loving touch heals. The fulfillment of the Old Testament. Philip Yancey poignantly wrote in his book Disappointment With God, "because of him (Jesus), we can come to God directly. We need no human mediator for God himself became one."

As we listen to Christmas songs, finish our shopping, and enjoy family, we should not be able to stop rejoicing. Through an innocent baby the greatest miracle occurred; God lowered himself so that God could be with us. We no longer have to send one ceremonially clean person into the temple because we now have Immanuel.