Can you imagine the moment when Jesus left heaven and came to earth to take up lodging in the small and vulnerable body of a baby human? What would He have thought? What would He have said? Would He have given a long and emotional good bye to all He had known for so long? Would a choir of angels sing a song of sorrow or a song of joy?
We actually know one thing Jesus said when He left heaven, because this scripture passage tells us: “Behold I have come to do your will, O God.” This is a New Testament quote of Psalm 40:7-8, written roughly a thousand years before Jesus was born.
The primary characteristic of Jesus’ Heavenly departure was determination. Determination to follow His Father in full obedience. Jesus left a perfect home, with a perfect relationship, where He served as King of Creation, and came to earth to redeem a fallen race of creatures by taking their failings upon Himself. As 2 Cor 8:9 tells us that although Jesus was rich (in heaven) He became poor (on earth) that we, through His poverty, might also become rich. It is the greatest difference between Jesus and any other claim to divinity – He came down. Not his messenger. He Himself. To restore us to intimacy with God.
Christmas is the season to celebrate the realities of Jesus’ sacrifice and the opportunity it affords us. The chance to be reconciled to Him. To be in relationship, in communion, with the Divine. True riches are spiritual in this life. They will become tangible in the next. Jesus came that we might have true riches. The greatest gift imaginable.
“Therefore, when He comes into the world, He says, ‘Sacrifice and offering You have not desired, But a body You have prepared for Me; In whole burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin You have taken no pleasure.’ Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come (In the scroll of the book it is written of Me) To do Your will, O God.’”
– Hebrews 10:5-7
Christmas is one of the most clear opportunities to lean into the reality of Christ in the world. During this Advent season, Yellow Balloons invites you into a five-part devotional series on the meaning, value, and opportunity of Christmas. We pray it awakens you to the truth and beauty of Jesus Christ.