“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth” – John1:14

Sometimes, the greatest gifts come in the smallest packages. They often seem common, and their value may only be captured by those who truly realize what they have. I feel this way about this passage in John. A common Christmas Scripture, its depth and significance could easily be missed.

I recently received presents from my children. They included homemade coasters and a homemade coffee mug sweater, a homemade piece of art with one of my favorite sayings, and a bottle of ink. To me these are treasures, though others might not give them a second glance. What makes them important is the thought that went into them: appreciation for my love of coffee, a quote that warms my heart, and a a fountain pen ink that I thought I would not find. These gifts are not big or fancy, but they mean so much to me because they represent the thought and the love of the givers. John’s words represent the thought and the love of God.

In one simple verse, one sentence, he depth of he Christmas story is revealed. Jesus, the Son of God, chose to take on our humanness so that he could dwell with us and reveal the glory of God to us. There is much more to the life and ministry of Jesus, but the core of the Christmas message is found in this one statement: Jesus became like us to show us the glory of God.

Consider the amazing significance of that truth. Jesus, the Living Word of God, the One through whom, by whom, and for whom all of creation was made, chose to take on the limited form of humanity to reveal the glory of God and share life with us. This is the Son of Almighty God who we are talking about. Sometimes we use words like “God,” ”Jesus,” “Son,” so much that we lose sight of their real meaning. Jesus, Son of God, chose to dwell with us.

Consider the limitations of taking on human flesh. Imagine the constraints God would experience in becoming human. I look at all the ways my human flesh fails me and hold me back, and I have lived with it my whole life. What an amazing sacrifice Jesus made to be found in human form and to live as one of us.

All of this was to reveal God, and the heart of God to us. Jesus shows us who God is is, what the glory of Hod looks like radiating through human flesh, and what we can be if we allow his Spirit to fully live in us. What an amazing gift, and what a wonderful opportunity to see the face of God in Jesus and be forever changed.

Here, on the fifth day of Christmas, we celebrate the amazing love that sacrificed so much to deepen and define our relationship with God. This is more than enough reason to rejoice. And to share the great love of God with those around us today!