Christmas is coming. It’s just around the corner! Another year has gone by, and we’re already celebrating the first week of Advent. Christmas is an excellent time of year. Children love to think about presents, Christmas trees, cookies, decorations, and … presents! For the average person, and especially for the church, December is a hectic yet satisfying month. For the followers of Jesus, it’s a time meant to remind us of the birth of Christ, that moment in history when our Savior was born. It was the greatest gift God could ever give us.
The gospel of John doesn’t tell of the birth of Jesus. Yet, the gospel of John does invite us to marvel at the coming of Jesus. In the opening verses of the first chapter of the Gospel of John, the Apostle declares who Jesus is – “God come in the flesh to tabernacle with us.” That’s what makes the Christmas story so fantastic, incredible, and life-changing.
John 1:1-4 reads, “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 were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
John tells us who Jesus is. He reveals that Jesus is God, the second person of the Trinity. He is eternal.
John 1:14 goes on to say, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” God has come in the flesh and lived with mankind! Don’t let this incredible statement pass you by this Christmas. The creator of the universe took on human flesh and dwelt on earth! God is not far away. He is not distant or unapproachable, uncaring or uninvolved. God is near, present, caring, watching, and working out His plan of redemption in the world. He came to save you from the coming wrath of God and deliver you into the kingdom of heaven.
As you celebrate Christmas this year with family and friends, food, and gifts, I encourage you to keep your eyes on the season’s true meaning—the arrival of the Messiah whom God promised so long ago. When the Angels announced His arrival to the Shepherds, they said. “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” I don’t know what’s on your Christmas wish list this year, but I do know that when Jesus was born, It truly was the greatest gift God could ever give you!
May this Advent season remind you of who Jesus is, what He came to do, and what you receive through Him.
~ Pastor Mike
