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. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, the gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. 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 1:1-14 ESV).
Yesterday I wrote about the incredible miracle of God becoming a human being. The way John writes it, it sounds simple: “The Word became flesh.” That sounds simple enough—until we know who the Word is. Then it becomes simply astonishing. John fills in the blanks for us. He starts with the timeless existence of the Word: “In the beginning was the Word.” Then he connects the timeless Word with God: “The Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Next John relates the divine Word to creation: “Through him all things were made.” But that’s not all. The Word is also the source of all human flourishing: “In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.” And the Word is unconquerable: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
All of this is an enormous revelation. This amazing, extraordinary Word becomes flesh, becomes Jesus. The timeless, life-giving Creator of all becomes as ordinary as any of us. There’s nothing simple about that. And it remains a great mystery. However, there is much more. When the Word becomes flesh, the glory of God becomes visible in a new way: “The Word became flesh… We have seen his glory…” Just imagine, a human being shining with the glory of God. It is incomprehensible. Yet, this is the tiny baby we put at the center of our nativity scenes to decorate our homes for Christmas! Don’t let the common treatment of this unique event get lost in the busy-ness of the season!