Come with me to Bethlehem today! Let's join the shepherds, still wide-eyed with wonder. Let's stand with the Magi in their worship. Let's see the one who was born King of the Jews. For by faith, we have a stake in him. We can sing with full hearts: "To us a child is born! To us a son is given!"

Jesus is Jehovah wrapped in human flesh. Our Lord and our God, yes—but also our brother and friend. Stand in awe! Let yourself wonder!

Notice first the miracle of how he came. Nothing like it had happened before. Nothing like it has happened since. A virgin conceived and bore a son. Remember how the first promise was worded: "the seed of the woman," not the offspring of man. Since daring woman led the way in the sin that lost Paradise, she, and she alone, would usher in the One who would win it back. Our Savior, though completely human, was in his humanity the Holy One of God. So bow reverently before this holy Child whose innocence restores to humanity its ancient glory. And pray that he would be formed in you—the hope of glory.

Don't miss his humble beginnings. His mother is called simply "a virgin." Not a princess. Not a prophetess. Not a woman of wealth. True, royal blood flowed in Mary's veins. And her mind was neither weak nor untrained—she could sing most sweetly a song of praise. But look at her position! Look at the poverty of the man she was engaged to! Look at the wretched accommodations given to the newborn King!

Immanuel—God with us! With us in our humanity. With us in our sorrow. With us in our daily work. With us in our punishment. With us in our grave. And now with us—or rather, we with him—in resurrection, in ascension, in triumph, and in the splendor of his Second Coming!