By Rev. Canon David B. Tabo-oy

[14] And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. [15] John bore witness of Him and cried out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me is preferred before me, for He was before me.’ “ [16] And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace. [17] For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. [18] No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him. – John 1:14-18 (NKJV)*
It is still Christmas. While most have already morphed from Christmas mode to the New Year’s, the church continues to dwell on the spirit and message of Christmas until the fifth of next year. This Sunday is the first after Christmas day and our gospel lesson repeats the poetic narrative of John regarding the incarnation. God becoming one of us in flesh and blood on that first Christmas. The first 18 verses of the gospel of John are certainly well-known – “In the beginning was the Word…. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us…” This is the Christmas story told in a deep spiritual point of view. It is the same story we have heard on Christmas Eve. But John being a theologian and a mystic is not much concerned with historical details like Matthew and Luke who narrated about the great census, Joseph and Mary, of the manager, angels, and the wise men and their gifts. Instead, he writes of the meaning of Jesus’ birth, and he writes from his theology, and from the holy imagination of his prayers.
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John is still telling the same story—all three are talking about the same birth—all three are saying the same thing. They are telling us about the fulfillment of the prophecy made by Isaiah many hundred years earlier, “v14Well then, the Lord himself will give you a sign: a young woman who is pregnant will have a son and will name him ‘Immanuel.’” “Immanuel,” which translates to “God with us.” This name is rich in meaning and encapsulates a pivotal theme within the Christian tradition: the intimate presence of God among His people. The name signifies a promise that God would come to dwell among humanity, offering reassurance and hope in times of strife and despair.
John begins the story earlier—he reminds us that Christmas really begins where Genesis begins—in the beginning, with God in creation. “Using language evocative of the first verses of Genesis, John begins by talking about the beginning, and about the Word of God. “The Word” here is God in action, God creating, God revealing himself. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. Then he tells the Christmas story—in nine words (in the Greek and English). ‘And the Word became flesh and lived among us.’ He who was with God in creation, the one who is God revealing himself to humanity—this one became a person, became flesh—as completely human as you and I. Not God with a people-suit disguise on; not a really good person who God rewarded and made special; not a super angel God created early and saved up for Bethlehem.” (sermonthatworks.com).
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In a seemingly esoteric narrative John tells us of the birth of a person, who was the Word—who was God’s own self. Soaring words for the most down-to-earth thing that ever happened. But it’s still the Christmas story, still the story Matthew and Luke tell—the story of the birth of Jesus. This is what we celebrate this Christmas season – and beyond. It is about the closeness of God to us, born into our ordinary life. It’s a mystery which stretches our minds beyond their limits, moving us towards that horizon where time touches eternity. The new-born child is our living link with God. We are amazed and surprised that God should come among us in such humble circumstances. The simplicity of it all challenges us to get rid of falseness and pretense, otherwise we will never realize our need for a Savior who will open the door and give us a fresh start with glorious possibilities.
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A theologian posits, “Christmas is the promise that we are not alone in our struggles. Christ did not remove himself from the brokenness of our human condition but experienced our poverty. From his birth in a stable as one who was homeless to his death on the cross as a common criminal, Jesus always identified with the spiritually, physically and materially poor of this world. The child who drew his first breath on a covering of straw in Bethlehem was the Christ of Calvary who gave his life that we might have everlasting happiness.” Many of us are disappointed because in our search we tend to look for God in the spectacular, but the Christmas story tells us that God is to be found right before our eyes in the ordinary, in the people and the situations we take for granted. Above all, we can experience his presence in our hearts, provided we make room for him by removing the barriers and obstacles that get in his way. God often visits us but most of the times we are not at home. If the glory of God that comes to us as a child in the manger is not to be lost, we must ask the Lord for the grace in this short life of ours to do things his way. By softening our hearts and sharing what we have with the poor and the needy we lessen the gap between what we are and what we should be.
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“The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” This verse opens with these powerful words that changed the course of human history. Jesus is God in the flesh, and he dwelt among his people.
Mark Moore describes the implications of Jesus coming to earth this way: “The incarnation is perhaps the most wonderful truth of history. Its implications are deep and wide. It tells us that God desires to communicate himself to us and, because of our diminutive nature, was only able to do that by speaking at our level and becoming one of us. It tells us that God truly understands our nature and sufferings, “ “This means that he had to become like his people in every way, in order to be their faithful and merciful High Priest in his service to God, so that the people’s sins would be forgiven. v18And now he can help those who are tempted, because he himself was tempted and suffered.” (Hebrews 2:17–18). It tells us of the seriousness of our sins, because Christ came to die for them. It tells us of God’s love for man—he is involved in human history. In fact, he is a major player. It tells us that the bridge between divinity and humanity is crossable. We therefore have the hope of future fellowship in God’s presence.” (https://www.rethinknow.org) God became flesh and walked among us. This is a foundational truth that the rest of John’s Gospel is built upon. God is with his people. Emmanuel.
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God loves the world that He gave us the most precious gift – his only Son to redeem us and by believing we may have life eternal. To me, unconditional forgiveness is the greatest Christmas gift of all. It is the most powerful expression of love. Forgiveness is the hallmark of Christmas. As well as expressing sorrow for our sins we must rid ourselves of bitterness and open the doors of forgiveness to those with whom we need to be reconciled. This is a time for healing rifts, for mending broken friendships and letting bygones be bygones. Spare a thought for those who have been bereaved during the past year. The pain of loss always surfaces during this celebration of the family. Whatever we do out of love for the Lord will not be lost and the joyful peace of Christmas which descends on us will never be taken away. It is so because God is always with us.
Let us pray.
Almighty God, you have poured upon us the new light of your incarnate Word: Grant that this light, enkindled in our hearts, may shine forth in our lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Sunday After Christmas Day Collect, BCP).**