He was in the world, and the world came into being through him, yet the world did not know him. 

John 1:10

People had speculated. And waited. But only a few key people knew who he was, and why he was here. 

Mostly, Jesus arrived incognito.

Christ, who was present and active at the creation of the world, showed up anonymously. He was like one of those executives on “Undercover Boss”, who sneak in as entry level workers at their own companies, to see how things worked at ground level.

Jesus didn’t just slip in for a week and take a quick peek. Nope, he was committed. He signed on for a whole infancy, childhood, and adolescence undercover before revealing himself to the world.

It’s what we mean when we talk about “the incarnation”: the embodiment of God, but as a living, breathing person. Note that this incarnation wasn’t some big “TADA” as Jesus appeared on the roof of the temple. No flashy entrance. 

In fact, Jesus was a crying, pooping, sleepy little baby. Helpless and just barely aware of his surroundings. He chose to grow into this world. To get the full experience of the best and worst life on earth had to offer.

He came into a working-class family, so he knows what a life of hard work is like.

He came to loving but inexperienced parents, so he knows the bonds and struggles of family.

He came to a people under foreign rule, so he knows the weight of oppression.

He came helpless which means he knows what your helplessness is like. 

He came so he could know you in a different, more intimate way. Sometimes we talk of God being “way out there”, pointing into space. But other times, like Christmastime, we have the opportunity to rejoice in his most intimate presence. 

He came and walked among us. His own people didn’t know him at the time, but we have the benefit of hindsight. Rejoice that Jesus was born undercover! And ponder this:

Would you recognize him

if he did it again? 

Merry Christmas,

Mitch