John 1:1–4, 10-14 (NIV) 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. …10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God. 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.
Christmas is about the incarnation.
Incarnation: Put on a body.
Emmanuel GOD WITH US: Isaiah 7:14 (NIV) Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.
Why the incarnation? 1. To reveal God "The method is the message."
John 1:14(NIV) We have seen(Beheld) his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
"Jesus is the way TO The Father and OF The Father." "Jesus didn't change God's nature; He revealed it."
John 14:9 (NIV) …Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.
2. To be present Presence is the opposite of absence.
ill.. TikTok of guy at football game in zoom meeting.
"He didn't just come to earth; he took a seat at our table."
A. To fellowship with us.
B. To be there with us and for us. Matthew 28:20(NIV) "I will be with you until the end of the age. Psalm 46:1 (NIV) God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
C. He came as one of us to identify with us. Jesus never entered into the activity of sin, but he suffered the effects of sin.
Hebrews 4:15–16 (NLT) 15 This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. 16 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.
3. To bring us into the family John 1:12-13(NIV) 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God. "Jesus was born of flesh so that we could be born in spirit."
John 3:3 (NLT) Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God."
