Read John 1:1-18
The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. (v. 14)
 
And the Word became flesh.
In the cold hours of the night just before dawn, silent by the window.
In the swift touch of a long-loved hand.
In the leaf-piles of the yard, watching the dog and the Christmas lights.
In the long line at the pharmacy window.
The cold cup of coffee poured out in a sink
The poorly wrapped gift fastened with extra pieces of packing tape
 
The Word lived among us
Stopping by the gas station
Driving home during rush hour traffic
Preparing dinner for the family
Practicing the choir anthem
Logging onto the website
Folding endless piles of laundry
Driving to soccer practice
Rushing from chore to chore, appointment to appointment
 
And we have seen His glory
In candlelight and pews and manger scenes, yes
But also in grocery lists and homework schedules
crossword puzzles and coffee cups
fish curry
piano quintets
neighborhood walks
 
And from His fullness we have all received grace upon grace upon grace upon grace upon grace.
 
Wishing you and Yours a Very Happy and Blessed 2025!

Luke 1:78-79
If you’re like me, certain phrases in the Bible captivate your heart in a special way. For me, one of those phrases is the first line of Psalm 23, “The Lord is my Shepherd.” Short phrases like this one live within me. I’ve brought them to mind hundreds of times throughout my life, especially in times of stress, loss, or fear.
There’s another brief phrase in Luke 1 that fits into such heart-captivating category for me. When I read it and reflect upon it, I am deeply moved, sometimes with gratitude, often with wonder. This phrase comes near the end of the prophecy of Zechariah, when he proclaims, “Because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.” (Luke 1:78-79). The phrase of which I speak is “Because of the tender mercy of our God.”
Mercy shows up a lot in Luke 1. The standard Greek word for mercy (eleos) occurs five times in this chapter (vv. 50, 54, 58, 72, 78). It is interesting to know that eleos occurs more times in this one chapter of Luke than in any other book of the New Testament. We could rightly say that Luke 1 is merciful, that is, full of mercy. The standard New Testament Greek dictionary defines eleos as “kindness or concern expressed for someone in need, mercy, compassion, pity, clemency.” Luke 1 repeatedly underscores the fact that God is moving to save us as an expression of divine kindness, concern, compassion, and mercy.
But Luke 1:78 refers, not just to God’s mercy, but to God’s “tender mercy.” The Greek phrase behind this translation literally means “mercy in the inner parts” (splagchna eleous). This unusual phrase, which appears only here in the New Testament, is Luke’s effort to represent a special Old Testament Hebrew word in Greek. That Hebrew word is racham, related to the Hebrew word for womb, suggesting a nurturing, protective, and life-giving love. What a powerful and moving way of envisioning God’s mercy! If you imagine a mother embracing her young child, you get a picture of God’s mercy toward us. God’s mercy is womb-like, mother-like, or, as the King James puts it, tender. This imagery reflects the intimate and caring nature of God's relationship with His people, as well as the expectation that His followers would exhibit similar compassion towards others.
Why? Because Zechariah’s prophecy envisions the dawn breaking, giving “light to those who sit in darkness” (v. 78). This mercy-inspired light will “guide our feet into the way of peace” (v. 79). God’s peace is not only an inner feeling of calm. It is also walking in God’s shalom. It’s a way of living that reflects and promotes the wholeness, justice, and flourishing God intends for humankind. When we receive God’s tender mercy, we will be guided by divine light to be an agent of God’s shalom. We, as beloved children of God and beneficiaries of God’s mercy, will be peacemakers (Matt 5:9).
In the season of Advent, we open our hearts to receive once again God’s tender mercy as we seek to follow the light of peace.

For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6
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Do you ever find yourself reading a passage of Scripture when, suddenly, a familiar hymn or song starts playing in your head? That happens to me every time I read Isaiah 9:6-7. The words jump off the page and into my brain, playing to the glorious music of Handel’s Messiah: “For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given . . . .” How wonderful!
When the prophet Isaiah first proclaimed these words, he wasn’t caught up in some sort of Christmas reverie, however. In fact, the original context of this passage was quite different from our joyous Christmas celebrations. Most of Isaiah 9 expands upon the theme of God’s judgment of Israel for her unfaithfulness. Yet the first few verses of the chapter offer a hopeful vision of the future. Someday a descendant of David will rule over Israel, bringing lasting peace and justice to earth.
Isaiah gives this Davidic King names that associate Him strongly with God. No wonder the early Christians saw in this passage a clear prophecy of Christ! The future ruler will be called “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Though we could spend plenty of time unpacking the historical and theological meaning of each of these titles, I’d rather approach this passage today in a more personal way. I wonder how I need to experience Christ today. I also wonder how you need to experience Him.
• Do you need Him to be a wonderful and wise Counselor, One who can guide you in your work, your family, your retirement, and every other context of life?
• Do you need Christ to be mighty, a source of strength and healing in your life?
• Do you need Jesus to be like a faithful Father, One whose love for you is forever firm?
 
• Do you need Christ to give peace to your troubled heart, your family, your workplace, your community, our church?
The good news is that Jesus Christ is what you and I need, and so much more.
When I read this passage from Isaiah today, I hear not only Handel’s Messiah ringing in my ears, but it also my prayer that you and I would know the Lord as my “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” I am praying for you and all others who read it (yes, actually, I am praying right now as I write this devotion), that you might experience God in a way that meets you at the point of your need. May Christ be present in your life today as your “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Life is God’s gift to you and me, and He intends that we celebrate that glorious gift.  So as Christians who treasure each day in and through Jesus, we’re doing God’s will.
For us who believe in Jesus as our Savior and Lord, every day begins and ends with God and His Son.  Christmas is a day to remind us that He came to this earth to give us abundant life and eternal salvation.  Our task is to accept His grace with joy in our hearts and praise on our lips.
Hannah Whitall Smith observed, “How changed our lives would be if we could only fly through the days on wings of surrender and trust!”  And, Clement of Alexandria noted, “All our life is a celebration for us; we are convinced, in fact, that God is always everywhere.  We sing while we work…we pray while we carry out all life’s other occupations.”  These words remind us that this day is God’s creation, a gift to be treasured and savored.
Followers of Jesus who fashion their days around Jesus are transformed: They see the world differently, they act differently, and they feel differently about themselves and their neighbors all year long, not just during Christmas season.
We who follow Jesus Christ face the inevitable challenges and disappointments of each day armed with the joy of Christ and the promise of salvation.  So whatever this day holds for us, let us begin it and end it with God as our King and Jesus as our Savior.  And throughout the day and the rest of 2024, let us give thanks to the One who created and saved us.  God’s love you and me is infinite.  Let us accept it joyously and be thankful.
“I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.” (John 10:10 MSG).