“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 1:14-19
I wonder if Mary or Joseph ever sat at a table or fireside with Jesus and thought, “That boy right in front of me is God in the flesh.”
They watched his ribs move with every human move. They could feel his heart beating as he slipped into sleep at night. They could see his eyes taking in all of His creation. This sense of childlike wonder paired with the wonder of His very Spirit.
He tasted our food, the very first of which He called out of the ground with His voice. He walked on the very water out of which He raised the continents. The ones who named Him were the same ones He knew by name before the foundation of the world.
That is the indescribable reality of God dwelling among us.
The prophet Isaiah referred to the name Immanuel, this concept of God embodying Himself as a perfect human. He was born to live, walk among us, bring hope and healing, paying the ultimate sacrifice with His death on the cross, and conquering death and sin forever by coming back to life.
John 1:1 makes a clear connection that Jesus is God. He was with God in the beginning. This was all part of God’s plan: to bring us joy by reconciling us with God.
Our passage today from the Apostle John emphasizes Jesus’ rightful claim as the Light of the world. Later in John 14, Jesus told His disciples, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life” (John 14:6).
That is the dual reality we hold in our minds at Christmas. The very God Who carved oceans and made dust and a rib gasp for life came as a helpless baby in an animal trough. The same One who no human could look upon His face smiled and laughed in His mother’s and father’s arms.
The gift of Jesus Christ was the greatest gift ever given, and today, that gift is yours and mine. We have seen Who Jesus is, what He’s done for us on the cross and in our hearts.
That’s what makes John 1:16 so relevant and timely for us: “For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.”
Grace indicates God’s unmerited favor that brings blessing and joy to our life. God’s grace is an unexpected gift given to undeserving people. Neither you nor I did anything to earn forgiveness.
And yet, God doesn’t give us grace only once. No, He gives us grace, upon grace, upon grace, even in the face of failure. Even in the confounding stubbornness of habitual sin. Even to any depth of depravity you may be stuck in your mind or by your own actions, God’s grace extends that far and even beyond.
No matter what you’ve done, no matter where you’ve been, God’s grace is sufficient to cover your worst or numerous wrongdoings.
Because He knows what it’s like to be human. To walk in our steps while we’re called to follow His. To feel the angst and stress of temptation. To face fear and uncertainty while searching the skies, the same skies He made, and asking, “Father, are you there for me?”
That’s Who we celebrate: God, Incarnate, the One who sees you, cares for you, died for you, and came back to life.
For you.
- What do you imagine it was like growing up with Jesus and knowing He’s fully God?
- What is an area in your life where you need the most grace today?
- How can you live with more grace in your life this week?
God, thank you for giving me grace upon grace. Thank you for coming to earth, living among us, and knowing what it’s like to be human. I ask for Your grace to be evident in my life today. Thank you for your forgiveness, your patience, and the chance to experience and share your love with those around me. Remind me of Your grace as I go through this Christmas season. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
