Even at his birth, Jesus embraced your weakness, proving that he is indeed Emmanuel—which means God is with you in every struggle.
Hi, I’m Joni Eareckson Tada and I am astounded that even in his birth, Jesus identified with our weakness. Think about it. Because of the Roman census, Joseph had to travel with Mary all the way from Nazareth to Bethlehem. And that’s no Girl Scout hike! It’s over 60 miles of rough and rugged terrain – Joseph walks on foot, Mary [in her ninth month of pregnancy] jostles this way and that, riding on donkey for three days. Then, when they do get to Bethlehem, the door at the inn is slammed in their face. They’d have to make do with straw and a stable, as they swept aside the dirt and manure, so that Mary could deliver her child. Oh, friend, this is the way God introduced his Son to the world, making certain that from the very beginning Jesus was “Emmanuel, God with us.” Nobody understands your pain and weakness as much as Jesus. And that’s a Christmas present for any day of the year.
© Joni and Friends