love IN THE FLESH

Friday, the fourth week of advent devotion comes from Michael Hoy's, "Light of Grace: Devotions for Advent."

And the Word became flesh and lived amoung us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father's only son, full of grace and truth.

Johm 1:14 NRSV

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Author's Reflection

The incarnation of our Lord is a mystery of grace. Isaiah spoke of how our flesh is like all that is fading, mortal and dying; but the Word of God is full of life and glory and lasts forever (40:6-8). Isaiah's promise foretells how far God's grace would extend in Jesus Christ. In that Son of the Father, the light of God's glory is seen by faith. Christ's fullness is grace and truth redeems us all.

With the birth of Christ, love makes a place in our world. That is the message of Christmas. Our Lord, love incarnate, literally made his bed in the midst of all the darkness of our night. And his love continues to make its place in the midst of all our world's most desperate places. We trust the good news that darkness has been overcome by the Child of love. The light of love shone brightly not only in the manger of Bethlehem but throughout the life of Christ, and especially on the cross and in the resurrection. Through the presence of Jesus as the Word Made Flesh, our motal weakness is now graced with God's glory and love.

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Author's Prayer

Lord, you have made your home with mortal beings. May your light of love illumine us all with your grace and truth. Amen.