“It gets darker and darker and then Jesus is born.” —Wendell Berry

“The early Christians did not say in dismay, ‘Look what the world has come to,’ but in delight, ‘Look what has come to the world.’” —Carl F. Henry

6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. 8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” 15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. —Luke 2:6-16 (ESV)

1. Jesus meets us in our weakness.

“The Almighty appeared on earth as a helpless human baby, unable to do more than lie and stare and wriggle and make noises, needing to be fed and changed and taught to talk like any other child. The more you think about it the more staggering it gets.” —J. I. Packer

“Man’s Maker was made man, that He, Ruler of the stars, might nurse at His mother’s breast; that the Bread might hunger, the Fountain thirst, the Light sleep, the Way be tired on it’s journey; that the truth might be accused of false witness, the Teacher be beaten with whips, the Foundation be suspended on wood; that Strength might grow weak; that the Healer might be wounded; the Life might die.” —Augustine

2. Jesus saves us from our weakness.

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. —Luke 2:11 (ESV)

3. Jesus welcomes us in spite of our weakness.

14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” —Luke 2:14 (ESV)