Hidden In Plain Sight

One of my special childhood Christmas memories is a particular event we did when decorating the tree each year. Once the tree was in place and the lights were on it, a large blue glass ball would be carefully unpacked and tied to a strong branch near the trunk. It is so special because it is a family heirloom. Looking back it was the most valuable and special ornament on the tree. It was also one of the hardest to see.

In fact most observers probably never realized that this ornament is so special or even there. The Christmas accounts in the Gospels are kind of like that ornament put together so carefully, then looked by so many and too often not really appreciated. Chapter one of the Gospel of John is a good example, many Christians never even think of it at Christmas. Yet, John 1 is an incredible celebration of the miracle of Christmas - the incarnation.

Matthew and Luke use the announcements by Gabriel to explain the miraculous origin of Mary’s baby our Lord Jesus Christ. John takes a different and maybe harder approach. He tells us who Jesus is.

The Jesus whose birth we celebrate each Christmas is none other than Almighty God. John wants to be clear on this. Notice how he starts, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men.” {John 1:1-4} Jesus was there at the beginning of all things, he was God then, he made all things, and he is life. The only one who does all that is Almighty God, the great I Am!

However, people throughout the years have trouble going from Jesus being God to Jesus the baby in Bethlehem and then to Jesus on the Cross. John covers that with his wonderful brief description of the Incarnation, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” {John 1:14}

Why would God in Heaven come down to earth, become the God-man, and live such a humble life here? The big reason is that he loves us so much. Jesus says this, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” {3:16-17} That is why Christmas is such a celebration of God’s love.

John 1 also tells us about some of the wonderful things God has for us as a result of the Incarnation. Such as, light “The true light that gives light to every man” {1:9a}, life “In him was life, {1:4a}, Spiritual birth into God’s family “Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. {1:12-13}, God’s grace and truth “From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” {1:16-17}

Hidden in plain sight in a passage we often do not read at Christmas are some wonderful truths to enhance our Christmas celebration and our lives. God loves us so much!

Reflect on John 1 and thank God for his great love for you.

Written by Rev. Daniel B. Baker December 2004



Articles by Rev. Daniel B. Baker :: Webmaster: Joseph I. Baker