"And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth."

Again this year, the Cannon family has reason to rejoice because of a birth in the family. My daughter Debbie gave birth to Alexis, in August of this year. Being the father of four and grandfather of six, I know that every birth is special. As we consider the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, see how none can compare to how special His was:

John begins his gospel - "In the beginning was the Word, the Word was with God and the Word was God" (John 1:1). The Word and God are the same. In our text John further states that the "Word became flesh". That is God stepped out of Heaven and into humanity. During the Christmas season, we celebrate this wonderful event. Let’s consider the magnitude of that gift:

THE MANIFESTATION OF THE WORD
"The Word was made flesh"
God came down and dwelt "tabernacled" among men. By the miracle of the virgin birth, He took on Himself a human body. A body subject to thirst, hunger, fatigue, suffering and even death. The Creator of all the universe subjected Himself to human limitations. He became human in every sense of the word apart from sin. He came to show us what God was like. To reveal His love and do something that was possible only by Him. The Word was not abstract but a real person who could be touched and seen and heard. This revelation of Himself was the ultimate revelation. The writer in Hebrews said, "God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, (Heb 1:1,2). God had been in communication with His people, now He was with His people showing them by His actions and His words who He was. John in awe goes on to talk about

THE MAGNIFICENCE OF THE WORD
"We beheld His glory"
The word beheld could also be translated discerned. That is John discerned with his eyes and his mind the glory of Jesus Christ. That glory was shown in what He said and did. John’s gospel records seven miracles pointing to Jesus’s glory. John’s stated purpose was that we would see that glory as well when we consider these miracles. Immediately following the first miracle John said, "This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him." (John 2:11) While it was not possible to look at the person of Jesus and see any difference in Him and any other ordinary man, it was obvious from what He said and did that He was far from ordinary. Only one time did He lift the veil to reveal the glory of His person to three of the disciples, including John, on the Mount of Transfiguration, (Mat 17). Apart from that, Jesus revealed His glory in words and deeds while here on earth. John then mentions another of the reasons for Jesus coming

THE MESSAGE AND MINISTRY OF THE WORD
"Full of grace and truth"
The message of grace, God’s unmerited, undeserved favor of God, presented in truth. When Jesus came, He came not only to reveal God but to stand in the place of sinful man to take upon Himself the sins of the world. Moses came with the law, Jesus came with grace. The law could only make sin know, it could not take it away, God in grace was going to take away sin. The sinless Son of God, God’s Lamb, by His one sacrifice paid the price for the sins of all those who put their trust in Him. This gift of God, the sacrifice of His only Son, brings hope to all mankind. By the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, we have the assurance of sins forgiven. While our eyes are fixed on the Babe in the manger at Christmas, we must never forget the Man on the cross. By the grace of God, believers have salvation. "Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift." (2 Cor 9:15) Merry Christmas.

From all of us at the Baltimore School of the Bible, a very merry Christ centered Christmas and a spirtually prosperous New Year.