Day 2: The Word Becomes Flesh
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:1-5
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
Devotional:
I’ve worked for several secular companies and a handful of churches through the years. While I’d hesitantly classify myself as a hard worker who always tried to do his best and make the best of every work environment I was in, I’ve had some bosses that made that really hard! One boss in particular could be a case study in how to have the most unmotivated employees imaginable. I worked for his small engineering firm as an autocad drafter. A more or less straightforward job: he designed something and I drew it on a computer for him. The problem wasn’t the job but the bosses distance from me and the other two employees in the company. I’m not referring to emotional distance, I mean physical. He was never around! I truly feel like I ran the office (I was 20 by the way) because we never saw him. It was me, the secretary, and a finance guy. By ourselves. And when we did see him he basically yelled orders to us from his office down the hall for an hour or two then ran back out the doors. I can barely remember the guy's face from the lack of seeing him even though I worked there 2 years! It was an easy paycheck but man it was frustrating to feel like the guy in charge was so inaccessible.
In John 1, we see the astounding truth of Christmas: Jesus, the Word, became flesh and lived among us. Jesus isn’t just a messenger; He is the message. This profound reality means that God’s voice is not distant or abstract. His voice isn’t yelling from some far off place. In Jesus, God’s voice is personal, reaching out in ways we can see, hear, and touch. The incarnation shows us a God who comes close and speaks in ways we can truly understand. God cares for us so much that he left heaven to draw near to us. That’s the special message of Christmas.
Reflection Questions:
What does it mean to you that Jesus is the Word made flesh?
How can you make room to hear God’s personal voice this Christmas season?
Prayer Prompt:
Invite Jesus to speak to you in a personal way this season, drawing close as the God who is with us.