“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.
We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son,
who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
John 1:14 (NIV)
We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son,
who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
John 1:14 (NIV)
Reflection
“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” In the quiet of this time, think about these words
for a moment. Imagine the essential meaning and implications of this verse. Our
God of complete perfection came to earth, not by obligation, not by universal
mandate, but because of the depth of His eternal love for us. So much so that
He was willing to leave His heavenly dwelling, and in divine condescension,
became man in order to live among us. The God of the universe, cloaked in the
vessel of an infant child, all the while never losing His divinity. The
perfect, living among the imperfect. God and man. Complete in both substance
and essence.
During this hectic time of
year, it’s easy for us to forget the significance of why we celebrate. Although
we may be flooded with reminders of what Christmas is all about, sometimes it’s
as if the words fall on deaf ears. Christmas is not only about trees,
decorations, presents and “chestnuts
roasting on an open fire”. It’s not only about the Christmas lights,
parties or A Charlie Brown Christmas.
While all of these great aspects of Christmas bring joy, warmth and laughter,
they are ultimately not what’s it’s all about. They are only supplements to the
essential truth of Christmas: “The Word
became flesh and made his dwelling among us.”
So as you celebrate this
season with all of the traditions, gatherings and festivities that you hold
dear to your heart, celebrate with the knowledge that the God of the universe
became one of us, made His dwelling among us, and dwells with us today.
Prayer
Lord, as we celebrate
Christmas with all the pageantry, tradition and splendor, let us remember that
the true reason we celebrate is that You became flesh and made Your dwelling
among us. Help us to remember that as we go from here to there, in celebration
of Christmas, that you go with us as well.
Let this be your celebration.
Amen
