There’s a line from the Christmas carol Away in a Manger - “the little Lord Jesus, no crying he makes”. It sounds idyllic but it is of course the product of somebody’s imagination! It presents an unrealistic picture of the baby Jesus. Cying is a baby’s prime way of communicating that they need something - whether a feed, a cuddle, a nappy change or something else.

Christians believe Jesus was divine, but we also believe he was human - God born into this world as a human baby, growing into a child and an adult. God the creator entrusted himself to the care of those who he had created. God the creator chose to accept the limitations of the human body. God the creator experienced the joys and sorrows of human life. It's mind boggling! 

Why would God do such a thing? 

The birth of Jesus shows that God wants to be with us. Matthew’s gospel speaks of the birth of Jesus as Immanuel (which means “God with us”). God knows what its like to be human, God has revealed himself in a way we can relate to, and God wants to be n relationship with us.

The birth of Jesus shows that God does not leave us in the dark. John's gospel speaks of Jesus as the light of the world.  The life of Jesus here on earth revealed the holy love of God and teaches us what it means to love God and love our neighbour.

The birth of Jesus shows that God does not leave us without help or hope. In Luke's gospel, the angels' message to the shepherds was that a Saviour had been born.  And in the gospel accounts of Jesus life, death and resurrection, we see this power to save from sin and evil, from sickness and death.

This Christmas may you know God with you through Jesus Christ.

p.s. If you want some help to reflect more on the birth of Jesus and the events surrounding it, why not try the Church of England's free app - Follow the Star. For more details visit, https://www.churchofengland.org/our-faith/what-we-believe/advent-and-christmas/follow-star-great-invitation