Our Redeemer Is Here

It’s Christmas week, and we have all eaten too much, unwrapped presents and probably will be happy to get into a slower routine as the New Year unfolds. We celebrate that God has come to earth and become a fellow traveler with us in a new way. Just as Mary placed the baby Jesus in a manger, God has placed Himself in our difficult, messy and often tiring journey in this world. We live in such a mess. We say we don’t “hate” anyone, but we do. We say we’re kind to everyone, but there is hunger and homeless everywhere. John says it this way: “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.”

Carolyn and I went to Chester UMC this past Monday night for a sensational Christmas cantata. The music was wonderful, and the church was full to capacity. Before I retired, I pastored churches with five and six Christmas Eve services, and every service would be full. I also remember that the Sunday after Christmas was often filled with far fewer people. What is there that brings us to church for a cantata or a Christmas Eve service, and we somehow forget that “The Word became flesh” a couple of days later?

At Christmas, the God of love gave His only Son (John 3:16) to redeem us and to be with us at all times and all places. Jesus wants to join us on our way, listen to our joys and sorrows, prevent us from walking in meaningless circles, and direct us to His home of peace and joy.

This is the great mystery of Christmas! Almighty God became a helpless infant. Because of the Word – Jesus in the flesh – we are not alone on our journey. We can trust that He is waiting with us. This is the reason that we can sing, “Joy to the world! The Lord is come!” We can sing this today and every day of the new year. Because of Jesus’ coming and walking with us we can live with peace and joy!

John 1:14 – “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.”

By the Rev. Tommy Herndon
Image: Adobe iStock