Advent Day Three: The Gift Hidden in the Waiting

READ

Reflect

There's a breathtaking mystery at the heart of Christmas: the One we know as Jesus didn't begin in Bethlehem. He was there "in the beginning." John tells us, "The Word was with God, and the Word was God." It's a truth so deep, so beautiful, that it stretches our minds and fills our hearts with awe.

Some have tried to make this easier, to fit God into our categories. But John won't let us. Jesus is both with God and is God-one with the Father, yet distinct. This is the wonder of the Trinity: a God who is both unity and relationship, love and communication, from all eternity.

But why call Him "the Word"? Why not "the Deed," "the Thought," or "the Feeling"? Words are how we make ourselves known. Deeds can be misunderstood, thoughts can stay hidden, feelings can be vague-but a word is meant to be heard, to reveal, to connect. God calls Jesus "the Word" because He is God's perfect communication-God expressing Himself, not just to the Father, but to us.

John goes on to say, "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." Jesus is God's message in person-God stepping into our world, making Himself plain as day, so we could know Him, love Him, and see His glory up close.

This Advent, let your heart be amazed: God didn't just send a message-He became the message. He moved into our neighborhood, full of grace and truth, so we could see what God is really like.

Quotes for Today

"No one has ever seen God… but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known." - John 1:18

"The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood." - The Message paraphrase of John 1:14

Apply

• How does it change your view of God to know that He wants to be known, to communicate, to draw near?

• Where do you need to hear God's Word-His truth and grace-spoken into your life today?

Action Steps

• Take a quiet moment to thank Jesus for being God's Word to you-clear, personal, and full of grace.

• Share with someone today what it means to you that God came near in Jesus, not just as an idea, but as a person.

Prayer Points

• Praise God for the mystery and beauty of Jesus-fully God, fully with us.

• Ask God to help you listen for His voice and see His glory in Jesus this Advent.

Prayer

Jesus, thank You for being the Word-God made known to us. Thank You for coming near, for revealing the Father's heart with grace and truth. Help me hear Your voice, see Your glory, and draw near to You today. Amen.