1st Sunday after Christmas
Dec 30, 2007

Psalm 148
Isaiah 63:7-9
Matthew 2:13-23
Hebrews 2:10-18

Why did Jesus come to earth as a baby — a frail human baby? The writer of Hebrews sets it up for us.

17 Therefore, it was necessary for him to be made in every respect like us, his brothers and sisters, so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God. Then he could offer a sacrifice that would take away the sins of the people. 18 Since he himself has gone through suffering and testing, he is able to help us when we are being tested.

Jesus came to be “God with us” — Emmanuel. No wonder the psalmist and the prophet are so joyful. They were confident that God was with them and would be with them. Jesus came as a baby to be God in the flesh or God with skin on. What a comforting thought.