"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us..." (John 1:14).
The great hymns of Christmas still ring in our minds/hearts today, and Sunday's messages from our pulpits still point to that Word who became flesh for us in Bethlehem's manger. What a great weekend!
In Chapter 1, the writer of Hebrews penned, "1 God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, 2 in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world. 3 And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high."
God in man made manifest! He is God! He's the Son of God become flesh for you, dear friend. He's no less God, than His Father in heaven. Those tiny fingers are the all-powerful right hand of God. Those newborn eyes, still closed from birth, roam the earth. That mouth that hasn't spoken a word yet, upholds the universe by the Word of His power. What a miracle!
He doesn't grow up to become the Ruler and Creator of all things. In the manger, swaddled and immobile, He's already the Ruler and Creator of all things. At the same time Mary cares for His fragile flesh and blood, He is sustaining all creation. He doesn't have to become human to create or uphold the universe, He's been doing that since the foundation of the world. He becomes flesh for one reason only -to purify you, dear friend. What a miracle!
Your greatest cause for Christmas joy is this: He "made purification of sins" -your sins. He came for you. He takes on human flesh/blood for your purification. He went to the cross to purify you! The purpose of Christmas is your purification and reconciliation with God.
Holding the thought of the birth of God in the flesh this time of year, I encourage you in your daily Bible reading throughout the rest of the year to view the works and words of Jesus under the theme: "As Man For Me." In the months ahead, as you look at the events of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection, ask yourself "Why was it necessary for the Word to become flesh 'For Me.'"
Yes, He is fully and truly God, but why fully and truly Man? This year I can't wait to read the words and events of Jesus' life with this theme in mind!
A blessed Christmas ...all year!
-Dale
