Year B, Christmas Day III
December 25, 2023
Isaiah 52:7-10, Psalm 98, Hebrews 1:1-12, John 1:1-14
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
“The Word Made Flesh: Embracing the Incarnation”
The Very Rev. Kathleen Murray, Rector
Historic Beckford Parish, Mount Jackson & Woodstock
Christmas Day III, Year B
December 25, 2023
“The Word Made Flesh: Embracing the Incarnation”
As we gather on this blessed Christmas day, our hearts and minds are drawn to the opening verses of John’s Gospel. Here, in these profound words “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God”[1], we encounter a depiction of Christ’s incarnation that is both deeply theological and eternally significant. John begins not with a scene of a manger or a star, but with the timeless declaration: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
This opening transports us beyond the confines of time and space and invites us to contemplate the pre-existence of Christ, the Word, who was with God and was God from the very beginning. Unlike the narratives of Matthew and Luke, which ground Jesus’ birth in historical and cultural contexts, John elevates our gaze to the divine and cosmic realm.
John’s use of the term “Word” (Logos in Greek) is rich with meaning. It speaks of Jesus as the ultimate revelation and expression of God. When John states, “And the Word became flesh and lived among us,” he encapsulates the profound mystery of the incarnation: God, in the person of Jesus, entering into the very fabric of human existence, becoming tangible and approachable.
This incarnation, as described by John, is a pivotal moment where heaven intersects with earth. The eternal Word, through whom all things came into being, now dwells in the midst of humanity, full of grace and truth. This is not just the birth of a child; it is the inbreaking of God’s very presence into the world.
The imagery of light and life that John employs serves as sacred symbols of the divine. Jesus is described as the true light, which enlightens everyone and shines in the darkness. This light is more than a guiding star; it is the illumination of divine truth, the revelation of God’s love, and the hope for a world ensnared in darkness.
As we celebrate Christmas, John’s Gospel invites us to embrace a broader and more profound understanding of this holy event. It calls us to worship a child born in Bethlehem, but also the eternal Word, through whom the universe was created, now made flesh to reveal God’s love and grace to us.
In the context of our current times, particularly the global pandemic, this message of the Word becoming flesh resonates with even greater significance. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought to the forefront our shared vulnerability, isolation, and the need for hope and healing. I’ve seen no fewer than a half a dozen of my friends who’ve had to cancel Christmas services this year because they are solo pastors and they have COVID. Didn’t we leave that behind in 2020. Unfortunately, it’s still with us.
But, in these challenging times, the incarnation reminds us of God’s solidarity with the world. Just as Christ entered a world filled with suffering and uncertainty, we are reminded that God is present with us in our own struggles and fears. The Word made flesh is a testament to God’s unwavering commitment to be with us, to share in our human experience, and to bring light into our times of darkness.
This Christmas, let us be filled with the awe and wonder of this incredible truth. Let the light of Christ shine in our hearts, guiding us in the way of truth and love. May we cherish not only the historical narrative of Jesus’ birth but also the eternal significance of God becoming human to dwell among us.
In this celebration of God’s incarnation, may we find true joy, peace, and hope. Let us come together in worship and praise, honoring Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh, who has come to bring light and life to all.
Amen.
[1] John 1:1, New Revised Standard Version