And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)
This text is the message of Christmas. In fact, it is the message of Christianity! The same word that spoke creation into existence has come in Jesus to be part of creation. The creator has joined the creation!
Why is this important? It tells us that the same God who stands over us also stands with us. We are not just like fish in God’s aquarium or puppets on God’s string. We have been created and then loved enough by our creator to be joined by God. Jesus is part of the same world and made of the same flesh as you and I.
Believing this message – that God was in Christ – allows for all sorts of other things to happen. Jesus’ death on the cross is not just some guy dying. It is “the Word made flesh” who dies on the cross. The resurrection isn’t just another Lazarus story where someone comes back to life. It is “the Word made flesh” who has come back with the same persistent love that sent Jesus here in the first place.
Isaiah announced that one title we would give the savior was to be “Emmanuel” which means “God is with us.” That message gives Christmas, Good Friday and Easter the same foundation from which to declare this amazing truth: the God who made you just can’t stay away.
Have a blessed and merry Christmas.
