This week, as we prepare for Christmas, we will be tempted to become caught up in our shopping lists, upcoming plans, presents that need to be wrapped, food that needs to be prepared, and so much more. These things are not bad, but they are not what matters most. They are not what Christmas is all about. As you walk into this Christmas week, commit today to focusing on the true wonder and miracle of Christmas: Jesus, the Son of God, came down to earth, took on flesh, and came to dwell among us.
The book of John begins in John chapter 1 by explaining the miracle of Christmas: that Jesus came to earth, took on human form, and dwelt among His people. He writes in this passage of Scripture, "In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God” (verse 1). He existed in the beginning with God. "The Word," whom John writes about in this chapter, is Jesus. As John wrote about Jesus and who Jesus is, he began by establishing that He is God and that He was present even before the creation of the world. After establishing Jesus’ divinity, John wrote, “So the word became human and made His home among us” (verse 14). How remarkable that Jesus, the Son of God who has been present since the beginning of time, came to live in this world in human form and “made His home among us.” Because He came to earth and lived among us, Jesus knows distinctly what it is like to be human. He understands pain, heartbreak, and the joys and sorrows of being human because He experienced it. What a remarkable act of love and sacrifice!
It has been said that while all other religions involve people reaching out to get to their false gods, the miracle of Christianity is that one true God came to humanity. As you prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ, take time to reflect on this miraculous truth. Take time to reflect on the reason we all celebrate: the Son of God came to live among His people in order to rescue them. There is no greater news than this!
Take a few moments now to reflect on the miracle of Jesus’ coming to earth and taking human form. Read the verses in the Going Deeper section slowly and thoughtfully. Then, write out a prayer of gratitude to God, thanking Him for the miracle of Jesus, who came to earth and “made His home among us.” There is no better start to Christmas week than this!
1 In the beginning the Word already existed.
The Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
2 He existed in the beginning with God.
3 God created everything through him,
and nothing was created except through him.
4 The Word gave life to everything that was created,
and his life brought light to everyone.
5 The light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness can never extinguish it.
6 God sent a man, John the Baptist, 7 to tell about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony. 8 John himself was not the light; he was simply a witness to tell about the light. 9 The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.
10 He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. 11 He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. 12 But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. 13 They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.
14 So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.
15 John testified about him when he shouted to the crowds, “This is the one I was talking about when I said, ‘Someone is coming after me who is far greater than I am, for he existed long before me.’”
16 From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another. 17 For the law was given through Moses, but God’s unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God. But the unique One, who is himself God, is near to the Father’s heart. He has revealed God to us.
