Grace 1

John 1:14

Sometimes when we give gifts at Christmas they serve as hints or indications as to what else may be expected. If, for example, we plan to give an electronic device as an important present, we might first have our children open a pack of batteries. In that way they have an indication of what is coming. They can anticipate a greater gift.

The gift of the baby Jesus was not the only gift we have received from God. It was the beginning, or indication of all the good blessings God has in store for us.

In today’s passage John sums up the very essence of the Christmas celebration. Who is “the Word?” What did the presence of Jesus show us? What did Jesus bring?

Although Christmas has become a hectic time of shopping and spending, a time where we get caught up in the music and the stores and all the events that make up the holidays, at its heart it is the celebration of the gift of Jesus. Jesus was “the Word” of God, the expression of God’s love. God’s love became flesh. Jesus – God – became a human being so that we might see the indication of what was coming.

In the appearing of Jesus, God in flesh, we were able to see the grace and glory of our heavenly Father. Through Jesus we can see how much God loves us and how much God cares for us.

This is the celebration of Christmas. We not only honor the gift of the baby, we celebrate the love that God has for us and how God has shown us that love.

The gift of Jesus was a gift of grace from God. It was an undeserved expression of compassion and forgiveness, from God to us. Let us not allow the superficial celebrations of the holidays overshadow what is at the heart of the season.

As we go through the Christmas pageants, as we attend the Christmas parties, as we work through our gift-giving and our times together as friends and family, may we keep our hearts and souls focused on the most precious gift of all. May we clearly see that Christmas is a time when we join with the shepherds and the wise men and worship, truly worship, the Lord.

DAILY CHALLENGE: How can you be certain to worship God this Christmas?