When God led Moses and the Israelites to the wilderness after God rescued them from slavery in Egypt, He ordered Moses to build a Tabernacle of Meeting (Exodus 25). The Tabernacle of Meeting was a tent where Moses met God face to face as a man spoke to his friend (Exodus 33:11). It was a place where the very presence of God resides. The Tabernacle of Meeting was always set up in the middle of the camp so that everybody could see the presence of God. The glory of God gave light to the entire camp during the night. Only the priests and the Levites (one of the tribes of Israel) could touch and move the Tabernacle of Meeting. When God would lead the Israelites to another location in the wilderness, the priests and the Levites would pack the Tent of Tabernacle, carry it to the new place, and set it up again.
John 1:14 says, "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." The word "dwelt" in John 1:14 means "to pitch a tabernacle." It is the same idea as the Tabernacle of Meeting in the Old Testament. The word "Word" in John 1:14 refers to Jesus. When Jesus was born or became flesh, God came to live among us, not through a tent, but as a person, and this is the other reason Jesus' other name is Immanuel (which means "God is with us"). Hebrews 1:3 says, "The Son radiates God's own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command. When he had cleansed us from our sins, he sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in Heaven."
When we think of Christmas, we need to remind ourselves that it was the day when God dwelt among us. It was the time when God decided to live among us so that He could save us from our sin. Our God is not distant, but He is always near to us because He made it possible for us to be with Him. He is always with those who genuinely believe in Him. Let us trust Him in this season.
Ask yourself these questions: What does it mean when John 1:14 says that The Word became flesh and dwelt among us? How do I feel knowing that God dwells among His children? How should I see my problems knowing that God is with me?
Write down all the worries you are facing today and lift them up to God.
Prayer:
Father in Heaven, thank you for dwelling with us through your Son, Jesus. Thank you for coming to save us. Please help me continue to trust you, knowing that you are always near me. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.