What if God was one of us?
There was once a man who didn't believe in the incarnation or the spiritual meaning of Christmas, and was skeptical about God. He and his family lived in a farm community.
His wife was a devout believer, and one snowy Christmas eve as she was taking the kids to the Christmas eve service at church, she pleaded with him to come, but he firmly refused. After they left, the winds grew stronger and the snow turned into a blizzard. As he looked out the window, all he saw was a blinding snowstorm. He sat down to relax before the fire for the evening.
Suddenly the man heard the racket of a flock of bird. When he looked out he saw a flock of birds that had been disoriented by the storm. The farmer had compassion for them and wanted to help them. and thought to himself, "The barn would be a great place for them to stay! It's warm and safe; surely they could survive the storm." His frustrated mounted anf soon he was frantically running after them to chase them toward the barn. However, the birds only scattered into every direction except toward the barn.
Feeling totally frustrated, he exclaimed, "Why don't they follow me! Can't they see this is the only place where they can survive the storm!" He thought, "How can I possibly get them into the one place that's safe."
He stood silently for a moment as the words that he had just said reverberated back to himself in his mind: "If only I could become like one of them -- then I could save them." His heart became quiet, then joy-filled as his mind was renewed by the realization that he finally got it-one more poor lost soul understood what Christmas was all about-and knew why Christ had come.
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the new-born King;
Peace on earth and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!"
Joyful, all ye nations, rise,
Join the triumph of the skies;
With the angelic host proclaim.
"Christ is born in Bethlehem!"
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the new-born King!"
Christ, by highest heaven adored.
Christ, the everlasting Lord,
Late in time behold Him come,
Offspring of a virgin's womb.
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see,
Hail the incarnate Deity!
Pleased as Man with man to dwell;
Jesus, our Immanuel!
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the new-born King!"
Hail, the heavenly Prince of Peace!
Hail, the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings,
Risen with healing in His wings.
Mild He leaves His throne on high,
Born that man no more may die;
Born to raise the sons of earth;
Born to give them second birth.
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the new-born King!"
Come, Desire of nations, come,
Fix in us Thy humble home;
Oh, to all Thyself impart,
Formed in each believing heart!
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the new-born King;
Peace on earth and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!"
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the new-born King!"