Day 12

Each Christmas, we sing songs for Emanuel, God with us. John writes about this idea with clarity and wonder in his gospel.

“God with us.”

The Word became flesh, joined His creation in its self-inflicted mess, and lived among us. He was fully God, fully human, and completely present in humanity's pain.

“In the beginning…”

Though John starts his book much like Genesis by recalling creation, he quickly draws in the fulfillment of God’s promise to Eve at the fall. The one who would crush the enemy had arrived. What was a whisper of God’s glory and grace had now become a walking, breathing, living revelation of salvation. All who would believe were now welcomed into the light, which could not and cannot be overcome. We are children of God, coheirs with Christ, fully redeemed.

But this doesn’t mean we have it all figured out. We don’t become perfect once we believe; rather, we have the covering of grace–undeserved favor–because Jesus has won that for us. Instead of guilt by association, we have innocence. Our free will is still going to allow us opportunities to fall again each day, but when we choose to believe again in Jesus and attempt to walk in the light of truth, we get to experience the grace God gives through Christ right here, right now.

Think of the last “bad day” you had. Replay the main points of that day in your mind, but with Jesus standing in it with you. When we’d rather lie than admit our faults or fears, He would convict us gently, reminding us to obey the Father’s will by choosing the light of truth instead. We would also see Him inviting us to a quiet space to spend time talking with God rather than listening to the chaos of the media. And we would most definitely find Him walking the halls of doctor’s offices and hospitals with us, comforting us in our pain and healing our broken places.

Do you see the glory of Jesus’ presence around you? The fullness of grace and truth? He was there at the very beginning. Colossians 1 tells us that through Him, everything was made and is held together. The Word is all-powerful, yet fully present in this messy life. He didn’t come just to be relatable, to check out what it was like in our world. He knew what creation was in the beginning and now is in the fall. He came not just to comfort us in our pain, but also to conquer the sin that caused it. Present pain gives way to comfort as we choose the grace and truth of Jesus.

Action Step: Pray throughout your day and ask God to remind you of His word and presence in your life. Surrender any hurt or frustration that is keeping you from unity with Him. He is faithful to meet you where you are and lead you forward in His ways!