How God Came To Us
By Senior Pastor Dr. Bill Rains | December 7, 2025
Father, thank You for coming to us. May every unsaved soul let You come into their heart today. In Jesus’ wonderful name, Amen.
On December 7, 2025, Pastor Bill Rains preaches a tear-filled Christmas message titled “How God Came To Us” from Matthew 1:18–25. The heart of the text: “They shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.” Pastor Rains marvels that the God who flung galaxies across the universe chose to come humbly—first in the cradle of a virgin’s womb, then in the cradle of a manger, and finally on the cross of Calvary. “The gulf that separated me from Christ… was so vast, the crossing I could never afford… He came to me.” Because where He was, we could not come—so He came to us.
1. God Came To Us in the Cradle of a Virgin’s Womb
The ancient prophecy: “Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Emmanuel” (Isaiah 7:14). The God who measured the oceans in the hollow of His hand (Isaiah 40) became small enough to enter a young virgin’s womb. Mary asked, “How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?” The angel answered: “The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God” (Luke 1:35). Pastor Rains stands in awe: the Creator entered His creation through the miracle of the incarnation—not with trumpets and armies, but in quiet humility. “God with us” began in Mary’s womb.
2. God Came To Us in the Cradle of a Manger
No room in the inn—yet God directed Joseph and Mary to a stable. The King of kings, whose throne is heaven, lay in a feeding trough—the “first King-size bed.” Animals surrounded the newborn Savior. Pastor Rains smiles recalling little Remington pointing at the manger scene: “That’s Joseph, that’s Mary, that’s baby Jesus… and that’s a plate!” The One who holds the universe in His hand allowed Himself to be held by human hands. He didn’t demand a palace—He chose a barn. “How many kings stepped down from their thrones… How many fathers gave up their sons for me? Only one did that for me.”
3. God Came To Us on the Cross of Calvary
From cradle to cross—the same Emmanuel bled and died. “He shall save his people from their sins.” The manger points to the cross, for without the cross there is no salvation. Pastor Rains quotes Squire Parsons: “He came to me—when I could not come to where He was, He came to me.” The second coming will be glorious—Jesus on a white horse, armies of heaven behind Him (Revelation 19)—but the first coming was humble, because we were helpless. On Calvary, He prayed, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” God came to us—because we could never climb to Him.
He came to us in a cradle.
He came to us on a cross.
What will you give to Him?
Pastor Rains closes with urgency: “Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?” like Paul on the Damascus road; “What must I do to be saved?” like the Philippian jailer. God has come to you this Christmas—don’t post a “No Vacancy” sign on your heart. Let Him in.