Dear Grandkids,
Today is Christmas! I’m looking forward to celebrating with you and enjoying the gift giving and food and fun and being together. But today is really all about Jesus. Sometimes that is easy to forget with all the emphasis on presents and the way that this holiday has become so commercialized. A few years ago I wrote a poem (song) that helped me remember what today is really to be remembered for.
John 1:1-5,14,16 says this:
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
14 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. 16 For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.
Here is my attempt to poetically ponder these verses and remember why we enjoy this day every year. The incarnation – which means God appeared in the flesh in the person of Jesus – should be celebrated not just on December 25 but every day.
THE WORD BECAME FLESH
The Word became flesh and lived for a while
In a world plagued with sorrow and sin.
The magnificent Son – the most Holy One
Was determined the plague had to end.
The Word became flesh as the Father revealed
All His love in the life of His Son.
His manifest grace must have felt out of place
When He saw what the devil had done.
The Word became flesh as God testified
To the truth that had never been heard.
The Savior appeared, God spoke loud and clear
Through the voice of His Incarnate Word. (Refrain)
The Word became flesh as the Father set forth
To give freedom to all who were bound.
Hope was restored, though God’s Word was ignored
When a cross took the place of a crown.
The Word became flesh leaving heaven behind
Giving up all the honor He had.
“Abba Father” He cried as He suffered and died
“I now know what makes You so mad.”
The Word became flesh as God testified
To the truth that had never been heard.
The Savior appeared, God spoke loud and clear
Through the voice of His Incarnate Word.
You are going to have many voices vying for your attention in the years to come. You will do well if the first voice that you listen to every day is “the voice of His Incarnate Word.”
Never ever forget that you are very loved!
Pop Pop
