Ed,

Eric Bazilian is a founding member of the rock band, the Hooters. He wrote a song entitled, “One of Us’’.  It was sung and popularised by Joan Osborne.

Central to its lyrics is the asking; What if God was one of us?

Whether Bazilian intended it or not, this question takes us to the core of Christmas.

The wonderment of Christmas is the unveiling of the story of God becoming one of us. That is, He became Human – wow! 

Christmas conveys to us that God came down and played in his creation. He entered the neighbourhood.

Uniquely and specifically, this occurred in the person of Jesus, the Christ. Jesus is also given the name Immanuel which means, God with us.

The famous carol, ‘Hark the Herald Angels’ reflects this by affirming Christ as the everlasting Lord. 

It then invites us to sing about the essence of Christmas;

hail the Incarnate deity, 

pleased as Man with man to dwell, 

Jesus our Immanuel.

Also, as another carol will say; – Joy to the world the Lord is come, let earth receive her King –

Since our sin makes it impossible for us to get to God, He took the initiative, and came down to us.

This demonstrates the wonders of His love and is cause for great thanksgiving and optimism. 

When we acknowledge God by calling upon his name through Jesus Christ, we enjoy the benefits of His Christmas action.

Surely then it is reasonable that we should take a moment to be thankful for God’s gift, of becoming – “One of Us’’ –

And so, with Osborne or Bazilian’s Hooters:

Yeah, yeah, God is great

Yeah , Yeah, God is good

Yeah, yeah, yeah – yeah – yeah.

Merry Christmas to all.

Steven Farrar, Yamba