December 25, 2024
Pastor John Hering
John 1:1–4, 14
John 1:1–4, 14
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 everything was made, and without him not one thing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of mankind. 5 The light is shining in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
14 The Word became flesh and dwelled among us. We have seen his glory, the glory he has as the only-begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.
We saw it last night. There was the smell of hay and cattle, the noise of the shepherds, the faint glow in Bethlehem’s stable, and there was the Christ-child lying in the manger. We noticed the awe and reverence in the eyes of Mary and Joseph. We recall the message of the angels, “Do not be afraid. For behold, I bring you good news of great joy, which will be for all people: 11 Today in the town of David, a Savior was born for you. He is Christ the Lord….. 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward mankind” (Luke 2:14). What a striking contrast of deep humility and heavenly glory! We see a helpless infant and we see Christ the Lord! St. John was inspired to record the Christmas Gospel as
We Behold His Glory
The Glory of Greatness
His Great Creation
John begins his account that same way Genesis records the beginning of history: “In the beginning.” Before the beginning there was nothing except God. Then the God created the earth and sky, the universe, and the mystery of life began. At this time the Triune God already revealed himself.
“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.”
The One with God was God in a perfect relationship as he revealed his Greatness. All of Creation was made by the Word. It is easy to recognize this from the words God spoke recorded by Moses, “3 God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light” (Gen 1:). The Word began the Great Work of creating all things.
His Great Humanity
And there is something even greater to consider on this Christmas Day!
“14 The Word became flesh and dwelled among us.”
The second person of the Trinity became flesh. The Son of God became the Son of Man. Jesus is fully human except for one Great Thing. Jesus is “just as we are, yet was without sin” (Heb 4:15). Jesus grew from infant to child, from child to youth, from youth to man. With an eager mind he studied. We eager hands he worked as a carpenter. He knew joys, heartaches and loneliness but in the Greatness of His humanity he remained sinless for you.
His Great Power
So where was the greatness of God? The Son of God never lost his glory, but it was hidden in the flesh. Many times Jesus would make powerful use of his divine power to perform sympathetic miracles for people in this sin-broken world. His Glorious Power also silenced the storms and calmed the waves, turned 5 loaves and 2 fish to supply food for thousands. His Glorious Power healed the sick, restored the sight to the blind, open eyes to see and ears to hear and even raised from death to life Jarius’ daughter, the widow from Nain’s son, and his dear friend Lazarus. In the miracles of Jesus we Behold The Greatness of his power!
His Great Character
This is something that Jesus didn’t do. It identified his distinct nature. He never asked his Father in heaven for forgiveness for an unwholesome thoughts, nasty word, or sinful deed. Many witnesses record the Glory of His Character and affirm the words spoken by Pilate,
“I find no basis for a charge against this man” (Luke 23:4).
The Glory of Jesus’ Character is based on more than what he did not do, but even more on what he did do! Jesus is love! Love is the foundation of God’s law. By following God’s holy will perfectly Jesus showed his love for the Father so John records these words of Jesus to the Father,
“4 I have glorified you on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do” (John 17:4).
Jesus’ love for people also brought hope and comfort. Every word, every place he went, every action he did revealed his Great Love for people.
We See His Glory of Greatness
While the disciples and many other of his followers witnessed his love in action, they were blind to its real meaning. Many received him for earthly ease and many other rejected him for proclaiming himself to be the Ruler of the Kingdom of God. Many did not have what you have—the eyes of faith! You know who this child is lying in the manger. You know the Greatness of His Glory because you know Jesus is God! On this Christmas Day as We Behold His Glory of Greatness, we also see something even more amazing in the child lying in the manger. You see
The Glory of Grace
You are thrilled to know God who created us, who was a perfect human, who had perfect power, and lived a perfect life of love toward people who were hurting. But, if that was all we believed then it would not be worth your time to be here today celebrating Christmas with “great joy.” You could be home enjoying your family, your new gifts, delicious food and relaxing while watching football. Sadly, that’s about all way too many people are thinking about today.
What would you think if there was someone in the hospital with a terminal sickness and you took a healthy person to their bedside and said, “You need to become like this healthy person!” That would be heartless! All it would do was show the sick person their helplessness! It would have been even more of a tragedy if Jesus in all his perfectly healthy glory was born in Bethlehem to just give us an example of how to live a holy, perfect life. Jesus’ command to, “Come, follow me” (Matt 4:19), would send people to despair, create anxiety and hopelessness. Because you are not perfect, because when you were born,, you “were dead in your trespasses and sins” (Eph 2:1), we all would find the doors of heaven locked shut forever!
Praise be to the Babe Born in Bethlehem that he revealed another glory to us!
“14 The Word became flesh and dwelled among us. We have seen his glory, the glory he has as the only-begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
He revealed his Glory of Grace! Jesus knew better than anyone else that only God’s grace, his undeserved love for fallen sinners, would rescue us from hell. Therefore on the day Jesus was born the Lord God presented to the world that Glorious Gift of his Grace! St. Paul reminded us,
“32 Indeed, he who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also graciously give us all things along with him?” (Rom 8:31-32).
Glorious! Glory of Grace! Grace is undeserved love. Jesus was sent from heaven by his Father for you! Jesus was born in the humblest of circumstances for you. Jesus had all the power of God, but in his state of humiliation did not make full use of it for you! Jesus faced every temptation you have faced—was always content; defending the reputation of co-workers and family; never lusted after porn; always protected the lives of others; respected the authorities like his parents; the High Priest, and Pontius Pilate; never used God’s name to curse or swear. Then Jesus died for you on the cross to wash away all your sins. Rose from the dead to show he crushed Satan, removed the curse of death, and opened the gate of heaven for you. Why? It was all the Glory of His Grace! In the manger we Behold His The Glory of His Grace because we believe what St Paul said about Jesus, “who wants all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Tim 2:4).
Last night we saw Jesus’ humble love for us. Today we Behold His Glory! No one will see Christ’s Glory in Christmas lights, presents, family gatherings and food. Is there any wonder that so many people today are worried about wars, political unrest, the deterioration of society, relationships and happiness? The best it gets for them is “peace on earth” that never lasts. But, you are here this Christmas Day to Worship Jesus because you know and believe,
“14 The Word became flesh and dwelled among us. We have seen his glory, the glory he has as the only-begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.“
What a striking contrast of deep humility and heavenly glory! Just as the Shepherds saw Jesus’ glory in the Words of the Angels over the fields of Bethlehem, we know this was only a preview of the glory that we will see in heaven. So today, trust the Word, enjoy communing with the Word made Flesh, and kneel beside the manger and Behold His Glory! The Glory of His Power & The Glory of His Grace! Amen.
