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.
-- John 1:14
He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God.
-- Revelation 19:13
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
-- John 1:1
Though God has always revealed Himself in some way, the incarnation (when Jesus came down as a baby) is the clearest, most compelling revelation of who God is - of His holiness, love and power. Because Jesus is one with the Father, He is uniquely able to communicate God's heart and mind. As Logos, or "the Word," everything about Jesus - His teaching, miracles, suffering, death, and resurrection - speaks to us of God. Our destiny depends on how well we listen. Will we believe, or will we turn a deaf ear to the message of God's love? When you pray to Jesus as the Word, you are praying to the One whose voice calls us from death to life and from darkness to light.
Words can be beautiful but they can also cause great hurt. However, God's Word is always good and is "living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart" (Hebrews 4:12). God's Word has the power not just to communicate His purpose but to accomplish whatever it intends. It never returns to Him empty.
When God speaks, things happen. "And God said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light. And God said, 'Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let dry ground appear.' And it was so. God said, 'Let the land produce vegetation.' And it was so." The world was created by God speaking it into existence. Jesus, the Word of God, the second person of the Trinity, was thus present at the world's beginning.
But the perfect world that God created was soon corrupted through sin. Jesus came to earth to recreate the world, restoring it to God's original purpose. Miracles happened when He spoke. Storms ceased, the lame walked, people were delivered from demons, and the dead were raised. These were signs that a world deformed by sin was being reshaped by God's all-powerful Word.
Jesus is still speaking, still reshaping the world, one person as a time. As His followers, we need to study and pray over His words. We need to listen carefully and expectantly for His voice. Opening ourselves to God's Word by reading the Bible daily, is a way of investing ourselves in the conversation God wants to have with us. It is a way of clearing the channel for communication, of giving Him room to speak while we listen. And as you read the Bible, pray. Ask Jesus, the Word made flesh, to communicate His heart and mind to you. He is eager to speak. May we be eager to listen.
Discuss: Read John 1:1-14 How does it summarize much of what you've learned about Jesus? John says that though "the world was made though Him, the world did not recognize Him" (John 1:10). Do you think this is still true today? Why or why not?
Prayer: Jesus, You are the One and Only Word made flesh, speaking Your love and Your light into the world's thick darkness. Reshape my life through Your message of mercy. Give me ears to hear and a heart to do Your will. Make me eager and able to proclaim Your Word in season and out, confident in Your life-giving power and in Your enduring love. In Your name I pray, Amen.
Ornament: http://www.biblestoryprintables.com/BibleCraftsChristmasNamesJesus.html#.Vm_qvNA-Ab3
Craft: Make a scroll using a long piece of paper and sticks, cardboard tubes, etc. to roll the paper on. On the paper itself write John 1:1
Service Project Idea: Get involved with a group who distribute Bibles to those that cannot afford their own. Alternately, assist a missionary in getting the Word out to people around the world.
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