Advent Reflections: Making a Home…

This is the sixth in a series of reflections on John 1.

But those who did welcome him, those who believed in his name, he authorized to become God’s children, born not from blood nor from human desire or passion, but born from God. The Word became flesh and made his home among us. We have seen his glory, glory like that of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth. – John 1:12-14 (CEB)

The new worshipping community of which I am a part has been talking a lot about the incarnation. This conversation began with the question, “Who is Jesus?” We found it difficult to answer this question. For one, we didn’t really want to answer the question. We couldn’t be succinct without feeling like we were leaving important things out. It was also difficult to capture Jesus’ eternal divinity and humanity – especially in non-churchy language.

John 1:1-14 is a beautiful contribution to answering the question, “Who is Jesus?”   John begins with Christ’s divinity and active involvement in creation and ends with Christ’s humanity and active involvement in salvation. And in the midst of this, we discover that Christ became flesh and made his home among us.

The incarnation teaches us what love means. Love is humble and is able to set aside power for relationship. Love cares for body and soul. Love chooses to be interrupted so that others may live. Love is both being and doing.

The incarnation allows love to make its home with us. But it also creates an encounter with God that is accessible to all. It is the opportunity to welcome Christ, believe, and become a child of God – or to find no room for Jesus to make his home with us. But for those who choose to make their home with Jesus, we are called to one thing more. We are called to love. And in doing so, we testify to the truth and audacity of the incarnation over and over again.

“This is how everyone will know that you are my disciples, when you love each other.” – John 13:35 (CEB)