From Advent Conspiracy ... "Daily Advent Devotionals, Day 25"

Daily Advent Devotionals, Day 25

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.
Isaiah 9:6-7

As a teen, Christmas was often followed by a few days outdoors with the guys: knee deep in snow, no cabin or tents, just a spruce bough lean-to deep in the woods. With -3°F/-19.4°C weather, we were never far from the fire where meals were cooked and hands and toes warmed. Years have passed and it is only the fellowship of those days that I miss.

Our text from John 1 reminds us that although Jesus was the only begotten Son of God, the eternal and living Word, He chose to come and dwell with us.

The Greek word that we so preciously translate as dwelt among us reminds us that He ‘tabernacled with us’ or as it has been put, Jesus has pitched His tent with us. He’s taking up residence.

From here He experienced life in every way as we know it and through all of those experiences the glory and grace of God shown through. No matter how humble our circumstances, how desperate our lives, this truth remains: God is with us and His grace and glory will shine through.

It may be difficult to see or imagine but He is there.

Into a rough straw hewn manger came One from glory to save the world, to save us. Jesus has known our hunger, our cold, smelled the smoke from our fires, and shared fellowship with friends. It is that intimate fellowship that He longs to experience with us once more. It is that fellowship that we need now more than anything else. It is that fellowship that makes this season Christmas.

Reflect

Where in the midst of this Christmas Day do you need to find Jesus most? Where do you long for His fellowship? Try to picture Him already there.

Pray

Lord,

Meet us where we are today and draw us nearer to your heart. Help us never to forget that You dwell among us and You long for fellowship with us. May we notice You today.

Amen.

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Advent Conspiracy was founded on the radical idea that we can celebrate Christmas humbly, beautifully, and generously. Advent is the story of a wondrous moment when God entered our world to make things right. It is the greatest story ever told and it changes everything — including the way we celebrate Christmas.

Be part of a different story this Christmas, one that celebrates our King and brings hope to a watching world ...

• Worship Fully
• Spend Less
• Give More
• Love All

... and join the groundswell of Christ-followers who are choosing to make Christmas what it should be—a joyous celebration of Jesus’ birth that enriches our hearts and the world around us.