December 4th Advent Devotional

December 4

John 1:10-14

And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth. 

-John 1:14

The word became flesh and dwelt among us. Let those words soak in for a moment.

Not until the birth of Jesus had God been in constant communication with His people since the fall of Adam and Eve. The voice of God was heard spoken through the prophets, either by dreams or direct commands to a chosen few. God roused himself from His holy dwelling place, leaving His throne of majesty and glory for a feed trough. The one and only true God came in the flesh to a spot in the universe called Bethlehem. The mighty creator became one of the created.

What would he be like? Would He make friends? Would He feel love, joy and sadness? Would He feel pain and anguish by those who didn't believe? Would He become angry and frustrated with his followers after teaching them when they still didn't understand?

The answers to all of these questions is, Yes! That's the beauty of this mystery. Jesus experienced joy at the wedding in Canna. Jesus experienced temptation by Satan in the wilderness. Jesus experienced grief and sorrow at the death of his friend Lazarus. Jesus expressed love to his disciples and called them friends. He prayed over them and asked God for protection. Jesus experienced anguish by the betrayal of Judas and the denial made by Peter. Jesus experienced unimaginable pain on the cross.

Here is where the hope of Advent comes in: We are blessed as children of God to have such a loving Savior. One who took on human form to save us from our sins. One that understands our humanness when we pray for forgiveness or acceptance and when we grieve for the lost of this world. One that opens His loving arms and welcomes us for who we are and who He wants us to become. That is the promised hope only the Messiah can fulfill.

As Mike says, Amen! Amen! and Amen.

Mike & Laura Green