The Word With Us
Christmas is the celebration of an incredible mystery: God came to be with us in the person of Jesus. The Gospel of John (1:1-18) expresses this beautifully: ‘The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us’. Christmas is about more than a baby in a manger. It is about God coming to us in love.
The Eternal Word
John doesn’t begin his Gospel with shepherds or angels but with God’s own self-expression: the eternal Word which took on human flesh and entered our world to share in our lives. Christmas is the time to be reminded that God chose to enter our world as a vulnerable child, born into simplicity and humility. He came to be with us, to share in our joys, our struggles, and even our pain. John also tells us, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it”. Jesus brings light to our lives, he came to guide, comfort, and lead us to hope, especially in moments of fear, doubt, or sorrow. No matter how dark life may feel, God’s light is stronger. It is a gift.
Living the Christmas Message
The Christmas question for us is, how will we respond to this gift? Will we welcome Jesus into our hearts, into our homes, and into our lives? Like Mary, will we say “yes” to God’s presence? Like the shepherds, will we come to Him with wonder and joy? Or will we be too distracted to notice the miracle of God with us? As we gather around the manger, let us remember that the baby born in Bethlehem is Emmanuel, “God with us.” He came to bring light, life, and hope to the world. And He is still with us today.