Tuesday 26th December
Read John 1:14
“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (NIVUK)
The whole biblical story can be captured with this single verse. For all sorts of reasons, the story of Genesis and Exodus, a story about God dwelling with humanity, was thwarted and denied. Yet the intention of creation was always that a relationship with God would be fulfilled and fulfilling. The intention was always that humanity and God would make a home together.
That intention began to be fully revealed and realised when Jesus came and took on human form. In the words of John, ‘the Word became flesh and ‘dwelt’ amongst us’. We see that purpose most clearly at the denouement of Scripture, as the great biblical story comes to an end.
“Then I saw ‘a new heaven and a new earth,’ for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Look! God’s dwelling-place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.” (Revelation 21:1-3) (NIVUK)
Something to look forward to indeed! O Come, O Come Emmanuel!
