Advent: The Word Became Flesh

Day 18

Personal Study

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:1–5)

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14)

Read: John 1:1-18

Reflection

John 1 is one of the most glorious declarations of Christ’s deity. In one chapter, the apostle John captures the fullness of the Advent. In the beginning, before the beginning, Jesus was there. Jesus Himself is the very Word of God made flesh, the Word that spoke creation into existence. “…The Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1). In His breath was life, and that life brings light to mankind. Christ spoke light and plants into existence, and He breathed life into our first parents. Still, now He breathes eternal life into “all who receive Him.” By His grace, this light shines into the darkness of our world. Without the Messiah coming to deliver us, we don’t even see the darkness we live in.

The Light of life, the Creator of the world, came into His world as one of the created. The Most High God came as the lowliest of babies in the lowliest of families. Christ became one of us, but much of the world did not receive Him. Many of the Jews did not receive Him as the Messiah. But, anyone who believes in His name and receives Him as their Deliverer can become a “child of God.” Those who are children of God are born again into a “living hope” — by the will of God (1 Peter 1:3). What greater name and standing could we receive?

The Incarnation, more than any other point in history, made the glory of God visible. Jesus is the “only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14; John 3:16).

Application

1. Meditate on Jesus as the Word who became flesh. How deeply do you value the Word of God? How readily do you receive and obey the Word of God? How powerful is the Word?
2. Walk in the power of God’s Word. Make a list of everything the Word of God accomplished (spoken by God and Christ in Scripture, or written by men inspired by the Holy Spirit). The list should include things such as creating the universe, healing the sick, forgiving sins, calming storms, and raising the dead.
3. Have you received Jesus as His Word reveals Him? Receiving by faith requires much more than mere acceptance of facts. James writes that true faith will show itself through obedience to the Truth. Are you trusting Jesus as your Deliverer, or are you depending on your good morality? Are you trying to change yourself to become acceptable by God, or are you abiding in God’s Word so that the Holy Spirit can do that work in you?

Prayer

Lord Jesus, you are the Word that became flesh. You are the only Son of God but you made yourself the Son of Man so that you could come into our darkness. This Christmas, teach me to receive your Word as grace and truth. Thank you for giving me your Word. Help me to abide in you by resting in your Word daily! Give me hope, strength, and boldness to proclaim your glory to others.

Family Discipleship Time

Read Together

John 1:1-5

Discussion

• Who created the world? How was it created? (God the Trinity, by the power of His Word.)
• What else did God make? Is there anything that God didn’t create? (Everything. Nope, only God is powerful enough to create.)
• The Bible says that Jesus gives us the light of life. Is there any darkness that is strong enough to stop Jesus’ light? (Never. Jesus is the Creator of all things and the most powerful King of Kings. He is the light of the world, and His light stops all darkness. Jesus has conquered all evil and one day all bad will be ended when Jesus comes back again.)

Additional Resources

• Song – “Go, Tell it on the Mountain”
• Article – “Fathers: Prepare Your Heart to Lead Your Home” by Desiring God
• Poem by Augustine

“Man’s maker was made man,
that He, Ruler of the stars,
might nurse at His mother’s breast;
that the Bread might hunger,
the fountain thirst,
the Light sleep,
the Way be tired on its journey;
that the Truth might be accused of false witness,
the Teacher be beaten with whips,
the Foundation be suspended on wood;
that Strength might grow weak;
that the Healer might be wounded;
that Life might die.”
— Augustine

John Ragon is Snowbird’s website manager. He lives in Western NC with his wife and six amazing kids, and began serving at Snowbird in 2009 after graduating from Union University.