Now, what is true about Jesus' power because of Christmas, and would not be true otherwise? Here's what Christmas says about the Mighty God: now his power can dwell in us. The God who created the universe has proven that he can and will enter the human condition.

Not just that he can work for us, but that he can work in us. Not just that he can visit our planet, but that he can indwell our bodies and lives.

We can now be the body of Christ, the temple of the Holy Spirit. God can indwell human flesh, at Christmas and today. His power can be as real in and through our lives as when he walked the planet himself.

Here's what that power means to your life, practically.

You have power over temptation: "No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide a way of escape, that you may be able to endure it" (1 Corinthians 10:13). There is no sin you must commit, because the Christ of Christmas lives in power in you.

You can overcome Satan: "I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one" (1 John 2:14). The power which defeated Satan at the grave will defeat him again in your life.

You have power to take the gospel to the entire world: "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8). The power to win the world to Christ lives in you.

You have the power to pray effectively: "We do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words" (Romans 8:26).

You have power to see the sick healed: "the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up" (James 5:15). God will answer your prayer and give the sick person what you ask or something even better.

In short, "Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?" (1 Corinthians 3:16). At Christmas, the Mighty God proved that he could live in human flesh. He still can.