And Was He God With Us?: A meditation for Christmas

Bob Hartman

And was he God With Us the second the Spirit shadowed the virgin? When, somehow, miraculously, one cell split into two and then four and sixteen?

'And was he God With Us when, somehow, miraculously, one cell split into two and then four and sixteen?' Pixabay

Was he God With Us, then? With us in our beginning, with us in our conception, with us in our humanity?

And was he God With Us when his mother visited Elizabeth? When his cousin leaped with joy to greet him? When the prophet yet unborn rejoiced at the prophets' promise? Was he God With Us, then? With us in our growing, with us in our developing, with us in our humanity?

And was he God With Us when they made that long journey? Tiny heart ticking, little legs kicking, to the beat of the virgin's feet? Was he God With Us, then? With us on our journey, with us in our fragility, with us in our humanity?

And was he God With Us when his mother lay down among the animals? When the tears came, with the pushing and the hard, hard breathing? When the light of the world made his way into the world's cold light? Was he God With Us, then? With us in that first breath, with us in that first cry, with us in our humanity?

Was he someone, not something?

Was he promised, not promising?

Was he God With Us, even there, in the virgin's womb?

Bob Hartman is a minister and professional storyteller who has written more than 70 books for children and adults.

Newsletter Stay up to date with Christian Today
News
The first Christmas song to be sung in churches
The first Christmas song to be sung in churches

Every Christmas, people sing the song “While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night”. Unlike many other songs and carols that include elements of non-biblical tradition and myth, this song is pure Scripture. It was the first Christmas song authorised to be sung in the Church of England. This is the story …

The story of the Christmas Truce of 1914
The story of the Christmas Truce of 1914

On Christmas Eve in 1914, many men were in the trenches fighting the war, but the spirit of Christmas halted the conflict for a brief period. This is the story …

Report highlights injustices experienced by Christians in the Holy Land
Report highlights injustices experienced by Christians in the Holy Land

Jerusalem Church leaders have released a report detailing the struggles and challenges currently faced be Christians living in the Holy Land.

Have you lost the wonder of Christmas?
Have you lost the wonder of Christmas?

For you who have been followers of Jesus Christ for a long time, maybe the pain and suffering of this world and the darkness you have had to live through this past year has gotten you down to the point of complete and utter discouragement. But all is not lost.