John 1:14
John is very subtle and yet so very clear. The ‘Word’, by which he means the second person of the eternal Trinity, the creator of all that is, seen and unseen, stepped down from his lofty and glorious perch to humble himself in a radical way. The omnipotent and independent and omnipresent One stooped to take on a human nature, complete with all of its infirmities, being dependent on food and drink and nurture, being limited by location in space, etc. It would be impossible for us, creatures that we be, to fathom the gravity of the humiliation that is involved in the incarnation. As we prepare to celebrate the birth of our savior, remember that it is not just what he would do that should take our attention. The gospel involves the manger no less than the cross and the crown. Already in the incarnation, the Son had exhibited his glorious grace.
His glory was concealed in the humble form of a baby, but the glory was there nonetheless. And at the transfiguration, John, the author of our text, had beheld his glory. Surely even in the transfiguration that glory was muted, as John lived to tell the tale.
So as you celebrate this year, remember that, as you picture the cozy and sentimental picture of a darling child in his mother’s caring arms ..., remember that there was, in those swaddling clothes, the Sovereign Lord of the universe, graciously stooping, taking the form of a servant ... coming not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.
That fragile child was the very One who spoke the world into existence. That fragile child is the very One who calls you brother and friend. And it is to Him that you owe your all. Merry Christmas.
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