Week #4: God Came So We Could Come Home
Blog Series Intention Recap
This four-week series for Christmas series helps people to understand the incarnation and the good news of Christ’s birth. Over the course of four weeks, people will learn what it means that they are made in God’s image. Then they will explore what it means for Jesus to be the image of God revealed. Finally, they will have a chance to rehear the Christmas story and learn why the good news involves God coming from heaven to earth in Jesus Christ.
This post is the main page of the series “Heaven to Earth: The Incarnation” Click here to see the rest of the posts.
Let’s jump into Week #4:
Jesus came from heaven to earth so that all who seek Him can be welcomed into God’s family.
Why it Matters:
God promised long ago to send a Savior who would bring people back to Him.
Simeon and Anna waited for Jesus—and they saw God’s promise fulfilled.
Everyone who seeks Jesus with an open heart can find Him.
Jesus came so that we could be brought into God’s presence forever.
Go Deeper:
A Long Wait for a Promise
Have you ever waited a long time for something important? Maybe a visit from a friend, or news about something you hoped would happen?
Simeon and Anna knew what that was like. They had waited most of their lives for one thing: the day God’s Savior would come.
They didn’t know when He would arrive. But they trusted God’s promise.
God had told His people through prophets that a Savior was coming. This Savior would rescue them, comfort them, and bring them back to God.
Isaiah 7:14 said He would be born of a virgin. Isaiah 9:6 said He would be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
The people of Israel waited for hundreds of years. Then one day, in a quiet moment at the temple, the promise was fulfilled.
Meeting Jesus at the Temple
Luke 2:21–38 tells the story.
Mary and Joseph took baby Jesus to the temple, as the law required. They were faithful to do what God had commanded. What they didn’t know was that this visit would change two people’s lives.
Simeon was a righteous man. God had told him he would not die before he saw the Savior. When he saw Jesus, he took Him in his arms and praised God.
He said, “My eyes have seen your salvation” (Luke 2:30). Simeon didn’t just see a baby—he saw the answer to God’s promise.
Anna was a prophetess. She was very old and had spent years worshiping and praying in the temple. When she saw Jesus, she thanked God and told others about Him.
Simeon and Anna had waited a long time. But they didn’t give up. And when the Savior came, they were ready.
God Welcomes All Who Seek Him
These two people—one man and one woman—represent something important: that Jesus came for everyone.
Old and young, men and women, rich and poor—God welcomes all who seek Him. Simeon and Anna were not powerful or famous. But they were faithful. They longed to see God’s work, and God let them see His Son.
Jeremiah 29:13 says, “You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.”
This is still true today.
If you are looking for Jesus, if you want to know God, if you are tired of being far from Him—you can find Him.
Christmas is a reminder: God came to us, so we could come to Him.
Why Jesus Came
Jesus came to do more than be born. He came to bring us back to God.
Because of sin, people were far from God. Like Adam and Eve in the garden, we were separated by guilt and shame. We could not fix the problem ourselves.
But Jesus came to take our place. He lived a perfect life. Then He died on the cross for our sins. He rose again to defeat death.
Now, everyone who trusts Him is forgiven. Everyone who calls on His name becomes part of God’s family.
This is what the angel meant when he told Joseph, “You shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21)
The manger leads to the cross. And the cross leads to life.
We Can Know God Personally
Simeon didn’t just see Jesus—he held Him.
Anna didn’t just hear about Jesus—she told others.
This is the goal of Christmas. Not just to know the facts. Not just to tell the story. But to meet Jesus, to welcome Him into our lives, and to tell others the good news.
Jesus is not far away. He is near. Revelation 3:20 says, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in…”
You don’t have to earn your way to Him. He already came to you. All you have to do is open the door.
A Place in God’s Family
When we come to Jesus, we are not just forgiven. We are adopted.
Galatians 4:4–5 says, “God sent forth his Son… so that we might receive adoption as sons.” That means we become part of God’s household. We are given His name, His love, and His promise.
You don’t have to be afraid of God. You don’t have to hide. In Jesus, you are welcomed home.
That’s what the incarnation means. God didn’t just send a message. He sent His Son.
Jesus is the way back.
How does this help me understand, “Heaven to Earth?”
How Do We Respond?
Like Simeon and Anna, we respond with worship and witness.
Wait on the Lord – Trust His promises. Don’t give up. Keep your heart open.
Seek Jesus with your whole heart – He will not hide from you. He will reveal Himself to those who seek Him.
Celebrate your adoption – If you belong to Christ, you are part of God’s family. Live with joy, not fear.
Tell others – Anna told everyone who would listen. We should do the same.
Heaven Came to Earth—And Will Come Again
The story of Jesus does not end with His birth. It doesn’t end with His death or even His resurrection.
One day, He will come again—not as a baby, but as a King.
Until that day, we remember what He has already done. We tell the good news. We live as His people. We keep our eyes open, like Simeon and Anna, for the day we see Him face to face.
The Invitation Still Stands
Christmas is not just a holiday. It is an invitation.
God has come. His arms are open. His home is ready.
You are welcome. Will you come?
