Adventures in Lewistown: 2010

John 1

The Word Became Flesh

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome[a] it.

14 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.

This is CHRISTmas....

These verses are by far my favorite depictions of Christmas...yes Matthews version is nice and Luke's is very informative but John really strikes deep into the heart.

Christmas is not gifts, it is not the only day of the year you get to excuse greed and covetousness as if they weren't sins, it is not good food and family, and it isn't even your perfect little nativity scene. Christmas is a day chosen by the Catholics to glorify the birth of the Christ, the Messiah, the God of all come down to be with His people and SO much more. It really doesn't matter who created the holiday or why, what matters is the same thing that always matters. Is Christ the center, the focus of your being? THere is no "season of giving" we are called to give of ourselves all year long to any and all in need. We are called to be lights in a dark world that shine brightly 365 days a year not just one.

THe truth of the matter is that Jesus wasn't born into a pretty clean swept barn. He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords born to a poor and humble servant that was named Mary. Her pregnancy was scandalous in a culture like hers and she would have been an outcast because of it. Jesus was born in a cold dark smelly cave full of animals and their excrements. Mary & Joseph were forced to flee from Herod and live on the run for many years protecting the Christ Child. This isn't a pretty painted manger scene we see...

BUT the other side of this story is something SO much deeper than we can ever imagine! John 1:14 says "The Word became flesh" I read this this morning with a weight it my heart that I cannot fully comprehend the depth of this scripture. Jesus was the Word, He was with God and through Him all things were created! ALL THINGS! He was there and through Him all of creation was breathed into existence! I picture Jesus being the very words spoken that brought life, love and humanity into the dark nothingness. THAT Jesus came to earth born of thee most HUMBLE beginnings, He became what He created even as sinful and depraved as we are. Jesus lived the life we could not live and for what.....? He came to die. He came to be hated and mocked and brutally tortured and murdered so we could be intimate with our Father in Heaven. He loves us enough.....enough to do whatever it takes to bring us to Himself.

Isaiah 53:5

5 But he was pierced for our transgressions,

he was crushed for our iniquities;

the punishment that brought us peace was on him,

and by his wounds we are healed.

He came to shed His blood and bring us life through His death.

That is the real Christmas story, that is the reason we celebrate and proclaim joy and peace on earth. When all the shiny paper and twinkling lights are gone Jesus' truth still remains all year long. Christmas is but a moment set aside in time where we stop and ponder all of this and rejoice, and friends lets continue rejoicing and praising our Savior all the days of our lives and with as much effort and passion as we do today and tomorrow.

All glory honor and praise to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

O Holy Night! The stars are brightly shining,

It is the night of the dear Saviour's birth.

Long lay the world in sin and error pining.

Till He appeared and the Spirit felt its worth.

A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,

For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.

Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices!

O night divine, the night when Christ was born;

O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!

Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,

With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.

O'er the world a star is sweetly gleaming,

Now come the wisemen from out of the Orient land.

The King of kings lay thus lowly manger;

In all our trials born to be our friends.

He knows our need, our weakness is no stranger,

Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!

Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!

Truly He taught us to love one another,
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains he shall break, for the slave is our brother.
And in his name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
With all our hearts we praise His holy name.
Christ is the Lord! Then ever, ever praise we,
His power and glory ever more proclaim!
His power and glory ever more proclaim!