We travel this life talking to, relying on and trusting God, but the thought of actually meeting Him face to face is often inconceivable.  God loves us so much that He took on human flesh – went through the trauma of passing through the birth canal – was born of a woman, but conceived by God Himself.  He was born in the usual way so that He could experience the entire human condition.  He walked through life, worked, ached physically, hands calloused, temptations placed before Him, wept, got angry and felt every emotion we feel.  He was indeed a man, but also God. He was the unblemished lamb promised from the beginning of time.

Imagine Mary and Joseph as they tended the little newborn baby boy.  What must have been going through their minds?  Here was the fulfillment of the prophets of old – the Messiah they had waited for – a king, but yet a humble man.  Encased in this mortal body, was a sinless heart.  As He meekly suffered pain and death He carried the sins of the world on His shoulders.

Had He not been born, suffered and died, God would been hidden from man forever.  On that Christmas morning, Mary, Joseph and the shepherds were witness to the actual face of God.  Later the Magi and others would see Him too.  What a miracle!  What joy!  Peace came to earth in that lowly baby, Jesus.