How could it be that God would send His own Son in the flesh to save the world from the captivity of sin? How can it possibly be true that a little child, born in complete poverty, with no royal garb, became the King of the World? Is this whole Christmas thing just a made up story to scare us into being good – something like a child waiting for Santa Claus?

I believe that the Advent season is a time of preparation for all of us. John the Baptist called out to those who were longing for a king, to repent first. He knew the King would arrive soon, but he was speaking to a crowd of sinful people whose eyes were on their earthly salvation.

Jesus was born in great humility. The whole event was miraculous. Here was a tiny baby – who cried – nursed – needed cuddling and cleaning up – a human boy, yet the Son of God Himself. How could that be? There were angels and pageantry in the sky, but those that saw and heard were lowly shepherds.

In His early life, He scuffed His knees, just like other boys. He calloused His hands as He worked along side His step father. He felt hunger, thirst, weariness, joy and every other emotion known to man, yet He wasn’t anything like them.

When He took the lonely walk to the cross – scarred and beaten bloody and deserted by most of His followers – He did so willingly. He could have overcome this humiliation, but He loved His people too much to do that. He gave His life for us and overcame death so we could enjoy eternity with Him.

He is coming again and it will be very soon. At just the right moment – in His timing – we will all enjoy the miracle of seeing Him face to face. Are we ready?