Purpose of God with Humankind

Happy Christmas!

Many teachers know that one of the most effective ways to teach a new concept or skill is to give students opportunities to practice using the concept or performing the skills. Of course, there are things that can be learned by reading, listening and observing. However, there are other ways to learn: learning by doing or learning through experience. For instance, musicians acquire the agility and virtuosity practicing musical pieces over and over again. Soccer players learn endurance and skills with or without the ball, their phenomenal technic abilities are acquired by practicing hard every day. Everything has purpose: To become a better musician or a better soccer player, et cetera.

Question

This brings us to an essential question for ourselves: “What is the purpose of our lives?” What is the intention of John’s Gospel? He describes a mystical movement of the Word. Moreover, this Word does not seem to be just any ordinary Word. No, this Word has the power to create, to change, to establish new realities. This Word is the Word of God, which is life and light itself. This Word had always existed and was understood. Through the beauty of creation and through God’s teachings as they are revealed in the Scriptures. Then God sends his powerful Word into the world – on this miraculous Christmas Day.

The  Gospel According to John

Today we celebrate how “the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” We celebrate how Gods’ teaching and revealing work shifted from telling and showing ….. into doing. Jesus came into the world so that we might encounter God in real time (today, now) and find our joy and purpose in this union. Friends, that is spectacular, unique and majestic! Dear faithful, that is just unbelievable and awesome! This closeness is overwhelming! God has made it explicitly clear that the final destiny for all humankind is union with God. This is not something new.

The Ancient Scriptures

Through the Old Testament, we observe God showing over and over again how He is willing to extend himself to us when we are in need most. And now we are invited to actively experience and interact with God through the Person of Jesus Christ. On Christmas Day it is the perfect opportunity to ask ourselves the question: Who is Jesus Christ to me? To us? Jesus comes with a message of renewal and fullness of life for all people.

Dear Friends

Now days, there are many theories or interpretations for what it takes to have a happy life. They are a promise of self-knowledge, success at any means, wealth, honour, power, health and more. So, why should I, why should we, believe in Christ Jesus – as our Saviour, Redeemer and our Lord? Not only for me: God exists - He IS, even if I do not believe in Him. Because his Word, his life-giving Word, I would say: His coming out as “God with us”, as the Immanuel, in Christ Jesus is trustworthy. Jesus Christ as our brother and friend represents hope to us because he knows about the deepest lowliness, when he cries on the cross: “Eli, Eli, lema sabachtani - My God, my God, why have you forsaken me!” (Matthew 27:46)

Christ Jesus represents openness and clearness to us because he does not speak as if he is hiding something. He says: “I have spoken publicly to the world. I have always taught in a synagogue or in the temple area, where all the Jews gather, and in secret I have said nothing.” (John 18:20)

Jesus Christ represents mercy, fairness and justice to us – because he says: “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her”. (John 8:7)

Christ Jesus represents God’s unconditional Love and eternal life – because of my final destruction saying: “Jesus, remember me, when you come into your kingdom” The life-giving Word of God, Jesus replays: “Amen, Amen, I say to, today, you will be with me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:43)

Christ In Us

Yes – the true work of God in Jesus Christ begins in healing the broken, rebuilding relationships, finding the lost and making music in the heart. Indeed, as we make music, sing, pray, and celebrate the birth of our Saviour, we also look deeply into what it means to allow Christ to be born again in us and what it means to recognize and reflect the light of Christ within us, for the splendour of God lives among us!

Glory be the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit – now and forever!