The Word Became Flesh

Key Bible Passage:

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)

Reflect:

What’s happening here in this first section of John? What does this have to do with Christmas? Well, that little babe in the manger was the Word who became flesh!

Before Christ came, God revealed his character through his creation and his laws, such as the Ten Commandments. People tried to draw near to God through obedience. We needed something more–we needed a Savior. He had promised a deliverer, in the flesh. The Christ child, whose birth we celebrate at Christmas, is that long-awaited deliverer.

Military women – with all their separations – are uniquely poised to understand God with us.

We, as active duty servicewomen and wives, understand the beauty of being together “in the flesh” because we’re often apart from loved ones due to far-flung assignments, deployments, and more. Returns and reunions are glorious–and that’s the heart of Christmas.

When my husband was deployed over the holidays, he sent me “12 Days of Christmas” love letters, landing in my mailbox in random order. Number two was followed by number one, etc. My soldier mailed one each day from Afghanistan. Although the letters didn’t arrive in order, my husband’s promises weren’t random. He loved me, he thought about me, and though we weren’t together over Christmas, he would return soon.

God’s people in the Old Testament had promises written on scrolls–he loved them, thought about them, and would return soon. And at Christmas, he did. We celebrate his return!

Respond:

  • In the spirit of reuniting, schedule a video chat with a long-distance loved one.