Jesus has moved into the neighbourhood

John 1:14-18          

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. 15 (John testified to him and cried out, ‘This was he of whom I said, “He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me.”’) 16 From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. 17 The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father’s heart, who has made him known.

Eugene Peterson’s translation of vs. 14 in The Message begins: “The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood.” The glory of God comes to live in our neighbourhood – to live among us, among humanity.

On this Christmas Eve we celebrate that Jesus comes to us with all the glory of the Father – Jesus comes to us as the truth that will set us free – Jesus brings us grace upon grace – and all of that in humility of the manger in Bethlehem.

The astonishing wonder of Christmas is this: God has come to be with us in Jesus Christ. Thanks be to God!

PRAYER:

In awe and wonder, we come to you God of grace, overwhelmed that you would come to live among us. We rejoice that Jesus Christ has made you known to us. We rejoice that in him we see you. Move us ever deeper into awe and wonder this weekend as we celebrate this gift, Jesus Christ, with which you have blessed all of humanity. In Jesus’ name. Amen.