The Week of Joy
At the birth of your Son, you whisper to our hearts, Father, as you fill us with the joy of our salvation. We thank you. Amen
Weekly Advent Prayers by Betty Claire Jackson
By Kay Dabney
John 1:14
“The Word became human and lived here on earth among us. He was full of unfailing love, grace and truth. We have seen his glory, the glory of the only son of the Father.” John 1:14 (NLT)
This is one of my favorite scriptures of the Advent season. To better understand the miracle of God’s Word becoming flesh in the form of Christ we turn to John 1:1-2: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.” Jesus was sent by God to live among us. He came to show us God’s love and his grace and to show us the truth. Living among us, Jesus understood us, he identified with us, he felt our pain, and he hurt. He was “despised and rejected” by some. And yet, through all of it, he proclaimed the gift of grace.
God’s glory shone brightly through Jesus as he lived among us. People could see God’s presence through Him. They saw the importance of God in their lives. John recorded seven miracles that declared the glory of God. Among them, the feeding of the 5,000, the healing of the lame and the sick, and the turning of water to wine at the wedding at Cana of Galilee. John tells us that “He thus revealed his glory, and his disciples put their faith in him” (John 2:11 NIV).
Jesus stepped down from heaven, coming for you. He brings with Him the amazing gifts of grace and truth. He is the One present we can’t live without. Christmas is celebrated as the beginning of the Word becoming flesh in the birth of Jesus Christ. Let the person of Jesus be the greatest gift we celebrate this Christmas.