Word made Flesh

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, he 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 bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’”) For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known. John 1:1-18

Last night the moon shone full in the sky. It was a beautiful crisp night. Despite our best intentions to go out and star gaze, the clouds conspired to hide much of the night sky and the moon conspired to out shine the rest. Light becomes very important this time of year. The days are short, the day light less direct than in the other seasons, and many people are sorrowful and sad this time of year. Light is one of the best medicines for the dark sadness that envelopes many this time of year. Many of our few remaining neighbors leave the cold and dark of this season and head south to warmer climes.

The opening verses of the gospel of John are some of the most magnificent and poetic in scripture. The gospel writer is trying to have us understand the incredible miracle of God who came among us, made flesh, like you and me. And so the writer uses light, grace, life, fullness and word among others to describe what is truly indescribable. And we are told that the power and gifts from God, bestowed in the incarnate God, Jesus, are bestowed upon us who believe to become children of God. Flesh of God's flesh, bone of God's bones and with hearts remade by a loving Creator. Truly this understanding is not captured with words alone. And yet God's word was sufficient for all of us, bringing light and love for the transformation of the whole world. The good news for us today is the good news for all generations. God is with us, God loves us, and God dwells with us still.

Today, I ask God to give me a new measure of trust and faith, so that I might see the word of God made flesh in everything I do this day. May my words and actions tell a story of being a child of God, numbered among God's family. May we all see those around us today as members of God's family, our family, brothers and sisters all. May barriers fall today and may we meet anew the family of God.