“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us ….”

This is the shortest of the Christmas stories found in the Gospels. Matthew and Luke provide us with wonderful images and detailed stories of the birth of Christ. They speak of the star in the East guiding the Magi, the journey of Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem to be counted in the government census, the angels’ announcement, the shepherds’

visit, the encounters with Simeon and Anna.

These revelations of the scripture leave us with vivid and beautiful images. Using these scenes, the masters have created wondrous paintings and sculptures. We have beautiful Christmas cards, and olive-wood manger scenes from the land of Christ’s birth. Hymns like Joy to the World and O Holy Night fill our hearts with wonder.

We could go on and on about the beauty and glory of the images and sounds that fill our lives at Christmas.

In contrast to these ornate accounts, the Gospel of John is simple, quick and to the point: “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.”

One who was the Word, in the beginning

The One who was with God, in the beginning

The One who was God, in the beginning

Became Flesh!

The One who made all things

The One, who without him, nothing would have been made

The one, who without him, you would never have existed

Became Flesh!

 

In him was life

The life was the light of men

The light shines in the darkness

The darkness cannot overcome this light.

This life, this light, Became Flesh.

He was the true light, which gives light to everyone

He was in the world, the world that he had made

And the world did not know him.

How could they not know him?

This one who Became Flesh?

He came to his own people

His own people did not receive him

How could they not have received him?

BUT,

To those who did receive him

To those who believed in his name

He gave the right to become the children of God.

This one Became Flesh

We became the children of God.

Not of blood

Not of the will of the flesh

BUT, of the will of God.

This one Became Flesh

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us!

Let us rejoice and be glad!

Merry Christmas!

• Darrow Miller

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