The Word became flesh and blood,
and moved into the neighborhood.
—John 1:14, The Message
When I was a child, my grandmother often used the phrase, “when Jesus walked the streets of the earth.” In my young mind, I pictured Jesus walking down our road, long robe flowing in the distance, sandals on his feet. It wasn’t until I was older that I realized Grandma was referring to Jesus’ life on earth, when he came to live among us.
What an innocent misunderstanding I had of my grandmother’s saying. It was rich, however, in relationship and theology. There is a part of me that longs for my childhood imagination. Seeing things through the eyes of a child opens us up to perspectives and truths we may otherwise overlook.
God came to dwell among us, to live like you and me — in our neighborhood. Can you imagine? It boggles the mind that God loved us so much that he came to earth to be with us.
I can imagine having this conversation with a few friends, each giving the proper theological understanding of Jesus’ coming to save us from our sins so that we can have eternal life. But God didn’t have to do it that way. God chose to take on human form and live with us. God wanted to be with us — with you and me. My mind can’t comprehend this type of love, but it is as real as the air we breathe.
As we prepare our hearts for the coming of the Christ Child this Advent season, I invite you to join me in some holy childlike imagination. What would it be like if Jesus lived in your neighborhood, maybe right across the street from you? How would you act? How would you feel? How would his presence change you? I would imagine that Jesus would be the most popular person in the neighborhood. I can see myself going over to his house every day, talking about my problems, sharing my joys. I can see myself talking about you and your amazing generosity to the ministries of The Upper Room. I can see Jesus sharing in this joy, this good work among us.
The good news is that God does dwell among us, and we can hang out with him any time. Immanuel has moved into the neighborhood — and he dwells in our hearts today and always.
Nicole Curtis serves as Director of Fund Development for The Upper Room.
This article first appeared in the Advent 2024 Fellowship Focus newsletter for friends and donors of The Upper Room. Click the image below to view the complete newsletter.
Take a moment to engage with the prompts from the reflection above: What would it be like if Jesus lived in your neighborhood?
Share your responses with others in the comments below!
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