Danny Fourie

Do not be afraid. I bring you good news…  Luke 2:10

We grow up with the idea that God is great, much bigger than us. The psalms portray God as the King of the universe who reigns with power and majesty (Psalm 111:2-3). When God came to earth, He did it in a way that no one expected. God did not come as the pinnacle of greatness, but as the ultimate smallness. God who holds the stars and planets in his hands became a human embryo, a baby wrapped in cloths.

We also picture God as the Eternal. He has been there through all the ages and will be there for ages to come. If we compare our human timeliness with God's divine eternity, it feels as though he is inaccessible, far away. This fills us with a fear. But with the coming of Jesus, God bridged the distance between the eternal God and our temporary existence. God became one of us. Therefore the angels say, “Do not be afraid.” As a child is accessible, so God became accessible.

God took a huge risk in coming to us in Jesus. Would people recognize him as God? At the time people said, “But is he not the son of the carpenter? Can anything good come from Nazareth?” (John 1:46). God relinquished his majesty, glory and power when he became human. Who expected that?

No wonder the people of that time were surprised. They marveled at the way in which God acted, in the wayhe took such a risk – but he did it because he wanted to demonstrate his love for you and me.

Prayer: Thank you Lord God that you are great and small, far and close. Thank you for leaving your glory in order to show your love to me. Amen.