Unto Us a Child is Born

Christmas is more than a holiday—it's God's invitation for you to come home. In a world filled with pain, disappointment, and searching, God offers the ultimate homecoming through the birth of His Son. This isn't just a historical event; it's a personal invitation to experience the Father's love and hear Him say, "Welcome home."

Why Did God Choose a Child to Save the World?

When Isaiah prophesied "unto us a child is born" 700 years before Jesus' birth, it revealed something profound about God's character. The Creator of the universe chose to solve humanity's greatest crisis not through overwhelming power, but through the vulnerability of a baby.

This follows God's pattern throughout Scripture. He used a shepherd boy named David to defeat the giant Goliath. He reduced Gideon's army from 32,000 to just 300 soldiers before giving them victory. He fed over 20,000 people with five loaves and two fish. As 1 Corinthians 1:25 explains, "the foolish thing that has its source in God is wiser than men, and the weak thing that springs from God is stronger than men."

The Miracle of the Incarnation

The Christmas story represents the infinite God inserting Himself into finite humanity. This wasn't just about good intentions—it was about God literally becoming man to bridge the gap between heaven and earth. Jesus fulfilled over 320 prophecies related to the coming Messiah, with mathematical odds so astronomical they defy human comprehension.

What Does "Welcome Home" Really Mean?

Home isn't just a place—it's where you belong. Deep down, every person craves this sense of belonging, this place where they're fully known and completely loved. Many people try to find this through wealth, fame, success, or even religious activities, but nothing can substitute for your Creator saying, "Welcome home, you belong here."

The Transfer from Darkness to Light

Colossians 1:13 describes what happens when you receive Christ: "The Father has delivered and drawn us to Himself, out of the control and the dominion of darkness, and has transferred us into the kingdom of the Son of His love." This isn't just forgiveness—it's a complete change of citizenship, from slave to royalty, from outsider to family member.

How Can You Experience This Homecoming?

Jesus said in Matthew 18:3, "You must change your thinking and become like little children. If you don't do this, you will never enter God's kingdom." Children are humble, trusting, and quick to run into their father's embrace. They don't overthink or complicate things—they simply receive love.

Three Practical Steps to Coming Home

1. You Will Find

The angel told the shepherds, "You will find a babe lying in a manger." But you have to look in the right places. Jesus said, "I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved" (John 10:9). Stop looking for spiritual answers in physical buildings or human traditions. Look to Jesus Himself.

2. Make Yourself at Home

When you're in Christ, you're not an imposter—you belong. Jesus prayed in John 17:23, "Father, help them to know that you love them with the same love that you love me." You get what Jesus deserves because of His sacrifice. It's time to stop feeling like an outsider and start living like the beloved child you are.

3. Explore the Benefits

Become like a child in wonder, exploring all the gifts God has prepared for you. Stop being content with old ways of thinking. God has wrapped up more treasures than you could ever unwrap—spiritual gifts, promises, blessings, and provisions that belong to His children.

Why Does This Matter for Your Life Today?

Maybe this has been the most difficult year of your life. Maybe you've been searching for answers, for peace, for a sense of belonging. God's answer might seem too simple: a child born in a manger. But this child is also called "Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

The Christmas story isn't the launch of a new religion—it's the dawn of a new age where God's children can finally be adopted into His family. Jesus came to roll out the welcome mat on behalf of the Father for all His sons and daughters.

Life Application

This week, challenge yourself to truly come home to God. Stop trying to earn your place or prove your worth. Instead, like a child running into their father's arms, simply receive God's love and acceptance through Jesus Christ.

If you've never made this decision, pray this simple prayer: "Dear Lord Jesus, I've been outside long enough. You were born into this world to redeem me from the curse. Forgive me for my sins. I believe you died on the cross and God raised you from the dead. Now I'm born again, a child of God with family privileges. Father God is saying welcome home. I belong, in Jesus' name."

Ask yourself these questions:

• Am I still trying to earn God's love through my performance, or am I ready to simply receive it as a gift?
• What areas of my life am I still holding back from God instead of making myself at home in His love?
• How can I explore and enjoy the benefits of being God's child this week instead of living like an outsider?

The waiting is over if you're truly ready to receive. God has something very special for you this Christmas—not just forgiveness, but a complete homecoming where you hear your Heavenly Father whisper, "Welcome home. Everything that's mine is yours."

~Dr Stephen Marshall