December 23, 2010, Fourth Thursday in Advent
Scripture: John 1:1-5, 10-14
In the beginning the Word already existed. The World was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it. … He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn – not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God. So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.
The Word became human and made his home among us.
Think about those words for a moment. God came and walked among us. This Word that existed long before the stars, and knew each of us before we were born, came to live among us. There is a theological term for this amazing truth. It is called Incarnation, or the idea that God took on human flesh.
We are also called to incarnate, in a way, when it comes to our relationship with God. For us, it means taking the very existence of Christ’s teaching and life and make it part of our life and how we live in this world. At the very depths of our being, we become more Christ-like in our attitudes, actions, and thoughts. We become more like the image God has for us, and less like the image the world desires for us.
So, what would it mean for you to become more like Christ in your daily life? What would it mean to be incarnate in the reality that Christ came and lived among us, and ushered in a new reality of peace, hope, love, and forgiveness?
In your life, what are you doing that is not Christ-like?
Lord, the birth of Jesus gives us hope. We are reminded that you came and dwelt among us. That you took on humanity, so that we may be saved from sin. Lord, show us the way to your image for us. Point out in our lives things that we need to work on to come closer to your image that you have for us. May we grow closer to you. In Christ Name, Amen.
Shannon Blosser 