One of my favourite passages to ponder on at this time of year, at the beginning of the advent season, when thoughts turn towards Christmas and the coming of Christ as a baby born among us, is John chapter 1.
Matthew and Luke give an account of the foretelling of the birth of Christ and the actual event, including those who went to visit the infant Jesus.
John doesn't give any account of the Christmas story, but he paints a far deeper picture of the incarnation when in verse 14 of chapter 1 he says: ' The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.'
What a staggering truth to ponder that the Word became flesh and lived among us. Indeed, that Word was there at the beginning of Creation - v.3: ' Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.'
May I suggest that at the beginning of this precious advent time that we reflect again upon John chapter 1, particularly the first 18 verses.
As we think towards Christmas and listen again to the nativity account, let's remember that 'In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was with God in the beginning.' (John 1:1)
Christmas didn't start with the birth of the baby Jesus at Bethlehem, it started in the heart of God way back in the beginning of time - God's redemption plan for fallen mankind.
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Since I've been studying I've become much more aware of God made man. One of my favourite people is Simeon (as an ex-Anglican I am familiar with the Nunc Dimmitis). Can you imagine what it must have meant to him to see that tiny baby and to know that the hope his people had had for centuries was now realised.
I think he must have been a great theologian: he had a sense of wonder; he had a sense of the history and tradition of his people; he had a deep sense of the ways of God and recognised the baby for who He was; he had the imagination to see beyond what might have been expected and described him as: "A light to lighten the Gentiles and the glory of Thy people Israel."
O come, O come Emmanuel!
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