Eternal Life

        1 John 1: 7:12 — That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life—the life was made manifest, and we saw it, and testify to it, and proclaim to you the eternal life which was with the Father and was made manifest to us—that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you.

     In the birth we celebrate this season the word became flesh, eternal life entered into one specific life.  Now through the word about that life and that incarnation, eternal life can enter our lives.

     Bask in this mystery.  Give thanks in all things.  Open your heart to the joy of God!

Heaven and Earth

        2 Corinthians 4:7 — But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, to show that the transcendent power belongs to God and not to us.

     In the end we simply live within this mystery of the incarnation, this treasure in jars of clay, the word become flesh, God in human form, Emmanuel.

     And we rejoice in this great gift of God!

New Creation

        2 Corinthians 5:17-19 — If anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation; the old has passed away, behold, the new has come.  All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them.

     When God was born in Jesus is made it possible for Christ to be born in us today.  The incarnation of God in Jesus begins the process of God’s incarnation in us; but not just in us, in all of creation.

     What is one way God has worked through you to make the world a more beautiful place?

Faith

        Jeremiah 29:10 — But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.

     We have experienced it again and again:  We have been blessed when we have sought to be a blessing in someone else’s life.  And yet each time we take the first step to make someone’s life better, we take that step by faith.

     I believe, help my unbelief.

The Mind of Christ

        Philippians 2:5-7 — Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.

     Here’s a paradox:  We never become like God (because God is incarnate within us) by seeking to become like God.  It is only by becoming our true selves that God enters in.  By seeking to empty ourselves we are filled.

     So what do we seek?  The mind of Christ.

To Know God

John 1:18 — No one has ever seen God; the only Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he has made him known.

     How helpful it is to be able to know God by knowing the person named Jesus!

     What is one aspect of God you would never have known without knowing Jesus?

Mercy

        Hebrews 2:17-18 — Therefore he had to be made like his brethren in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make expiation for the sins of the people.  For because he himself has suffered and been tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted.

     Once again God takes the first step, becoming like us in every respect so that he may help us in our weaknesses and in our difficult times.

     Is there a struggle Jesus went through that has reassured you that he could help you in your struggles?

Hope

        Hebrews 2:14-15 — Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same nature, that through death he might destroy him who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong bondage.

     The greater our confidence that God is present in our lives, the greater our hope that death is not the end.  

     Praise the Lord!

God's Will

Hebrews 10:5-7 — Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, “Sacrifices and offerings thou hast not desired, but a body hast thou prepared for me; in burnt offerings and sin offerings thou hast taken no pleasure.  Then I said, ‘Lo, I have come to do thy will, O God,’ as it is written of me in the roll of the book.”

     At first we seek to do God’s will instead of our own will.  With time we begin to seek to will God’s will and then do it.

     What is one way your will, your desire, has changed as you have lived with God?

Grace

        John 1:14 — And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth; we have beheld his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father.

    As with peace, the incarnation of God is an act of grace, so the one in whom God is incarnate is full of grace. 

     What is one way the doctrine of grace can become more incarnate in your life?  How can you become more graceful and gracious?

When Actions Speak

              Matthew 11:2-6 —  When John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, “Are you he who is to come, or shall we look for another?”  And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them.”  

     Jesus was so confident of the incarnation of God in his own body that he could trust his identity simply to what people could here and see.

     When is one time you simply allowed your actions to speak for you and for your faith?

In Time

        Galatians 4:4-5 — But when the time had fully come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.

     God became incarnate in a person named Jesus in the town of Bethlehem on a particular day about 2000 years ago.  God not only entered space, God entered time.

     In the way that we allow our spirit to be present in our body, we can also allow ourselves to be present in the current moment, neither remembering the past nor planning for the future.