So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.

John 1:14

The prologue of John’s Gospel tells the story of Christmas, but not in the usual manner. We don’t have angels and shepherds here, or wise men and a star. Rather, John reveals the theological core of Christmas.

And what is this core? It begins with the Word of God, the living Logos, who was with God in creation. This Word “became human” (v. 14). That’s a valid rendering of the original Greek, which states literally that the Word (logos) became flesh (sarx). The Word of God didn’t just look like a human being. He didn’t just appear among us. Rather, he became one of us, flesh and all.

Here is the wonder of the Incarnation, the in-flesh-ment of the divine Word. For centuries, theologians have sought to explain this mystery, but their efforts only take us so far. We’ll never fully comprehend how an infinite God could take on finite flesh, how an all-powerful God could become a weak, vulnerable baby.

Because the Word became human, we have a God who understands us “on the inside.” Because the Word became human, we have an image of God that we can grasp. Because the Word became flesh, he would one day be able to bear our sin on the cross as one of us.

Today we celebrate the astounding good news of the Incarnation of the Word of God. Merry Christmas, indeed!

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION: What does the incarnation of the Word of God mean to you? How are you going to celebrate the incarnation today?

PRAYER: All praise be to you, Lord Jesus, because you are the Almighty Word of God!

All praise be to you, Lord Jesus, because you are the Word made flesh. You are Emmanuel, God with us!

All praise be to you, Lord Jesus, because you know what it’s like to be human. Thus I can turn to you with confidence, even in my weakness, doubt, and confusion.

All praise be to you, Lord Jesus, because you have shown us the Father through your own life. Because of you, we know what God is truly like.

All praise be to you, Lord Jesus, because your Incarnation was the first step on the road to Calvary. Because you were fully human in addition to being fully divine, you were able to bear our sin on the cross.

All praise be to you, Lord Jesus, Word of God Incarnate, Savior of the world . . . and my Savior too! Amen.

Image courtesy of Laity Lodge, one of our sister programs in the Foundations for Laity Renewal.