December 25th - Reflection

Reading
John 1:1-14 (NRSV)
The Word became flesh
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.

He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.

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.

Reflection
He came into the world. Came into the world in flesh. The Word became flesh and dwells among us and in us. Came into the world humble as could be. Came into the world with a big splash. Came into the world with a big announcement. Came into the world in a huge way. Came into the world to those who the world rejected. Came into the world in such a strange way that the rulers of the kingdoms of this world feared Him. Came into the world but didn't yield the power of kings with swords and death and oppression of the people. Came into the world and served the weak, the sick, the outcast. Came into the world full of grace and truth and lived and suffered and died.

Came into the world, yet rose again. Came into the world and invaded the hearts of all who believe. Came into the world and permitted believers to become children of God. Came into the world and rose to new life so that these very believers and children of God could be born of God.

Came into the world and lives in His children. In the beginning was life and in the end is life through Him. Came into the world that all may have life. Oh how we look forward to Your coming! How gracious You are to let us check it out! How wonderful it is to tell of Your coming...into this world and into our lives!

He came into the world! He came into you and me! He has come! Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Come into this world, Lord Jesus! Come into my life and heart! Invade me and let me check You out! Come, Lord Jesus, come, into this world and my life, that I may always live for You, today, tomorrow and forever! Come, Lord Jesus, come! ---Amen