I have a clear picture in my mind of when I was a year and a half old, as I stood on the sidewalk of our new home. I was waiting for my father as he unlocked the front door. I instantly fell in love with my new world there with all the big trees around the house. I have always wondered why this picture has remained with me all these years. Jesus entered our world into his new temporary home. What was his impression I wondered; did he fall fast in love with it? After all, this world is a thing of his creation, a hands-on display of his love. When we create something, it comes out of our love. It takes the form of things we see as beautiful and desirable.

Jesus went through the same growth process as we all did. There must have been adventures and experiences, and new things to learn, but Jesus did not come here on holiday, he had much work to do. He slipped into the world via the womb of Mary, quietly at first, but at his birth, his entry was announced clearly and loudly as the multitudes of angels declared his praise (Luke 2:13-14). As a child, he was vulnerable to the world and its dangers around him. Yet, he was surely guarded by his heavenly Father and given ways of escape when the Evil One sought to do him harm and prevent his work from being done here on earth. By the time he was 12, he was already seeking to be in his Heavenly Father’s house and to be going about his Father’s business (Luke 2:31-49). It was his Father’s business, to save his children and redeem them from their fallen state.

As I read about the first public display of Jesus’ miracles, in John chapter 2, I wondered how his mother Mary was so confident he could and would turn water into wine. Had he been displaying his powers quietly at home? He must have talked about his plans to follow his heavenly Father’s will. When my grandson was about five, he had me make him a superhero costume, because he was going to someday save the world he said. He was very sincere and determined. When did Jesus first become aware of his call to save the world? Though my grandson had good intentions, none of us could do so. Jesus, on the other hand, can and would save the world through his sacrifice.

Though it is a pleasant place in our minds we cannot leave Jesus in the manger where it is safe. Jesus entered our world to save us, and this he has done and continues to do so. Why do so many of us get lost inside the games we play, whether physically or on our phones? It is a safe place, where no real harm comes to us unless we get caught up in the call to buy the way to winning. Just like Jesus, we cannot stay in our safe place; we have work to do. This work may not be the same for us all, but we are called to first love God and to love one another. This does not buy us salvation; Jesus did that for us; but because we are saved, we work for the good of all. Jesus entered our world so that we could enter his.

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