The theology of Christmas
Most Christmases, I’m distracted by the whirlwind of festivities, the busyness of the season at work and in ministry, and the Western traditions associated with the holiday. But in the midst of this Christmas season, let’s look behind the curtain at the theology of Christmas based on John 1:14-18. Let’s see what makes this holiday more than just a holiday.
The incarnation of Jesus reveals his glory
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. (John 1:14 NIV)
Many know the story of Christmas. God chooses a virgin woman, Mary, to bear the Son of God, and he is called Jesus. What many might forget is that while Jesus is the Son of God, he is also described in John as ‘the Word [becoming] flesh’. We know from reading John 1:14 that the Word is then distinct from the Father but is also God, and that the Word (i.e., Jesus) is both 100% human and 100% God. This may be hard to wrap our brains around but this is the very nature of God: mysterious and beyond our comprehension.
It is this man that “made his dwelling among us.” ‘Dwelling’ in this passage means ‘to tabernacle’ which is commonly associated with the tent erected by the Israelite in the time of Moses. The very purpose of building the tabernacle is the same reason it’s used in John: to tabernacle means God’s presence among his people. Thus, we know that Jesus was the true tabernacle, bringing and inviting people into God’s presence (and the invitation still stands today through the dwelling of the Holy Spirit).
Not only was Jesus to bring God’s presence among his people, but he made apparent God’s glory through himself. In the past, people weren’t often privileged to see God’s glory but Moses was one of the few exceptions. He witnessed God’s glory while receiving the ten commandments, where God “passed in front of him,” (Exodus 34:6) in what is described as “grace and truth.” The very same way Jesus is described here in John 1:14, “full of grace and truth.”
The incarnation of Jesus shows his supremacy
(John testified concerning him. He cried out, saying, “This is the one I spoke about when I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’”) Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 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.
Before Jesus came into his ministry, there was one who was a voice calling out in the wilderness (Isaiah 40:3) to prepare the way for Christ. Verse 15 begins by calling on John the Baptist who “testified concerning him.” John had described Jesus as the one who was to come after him (in age) yet who had already surpassed him because Jesus was before him (as in existing before the Earth was formed). In verse 16, the author then goes on to say that only because of God’s fullness could he give grace where grace had already been given. This refers to God’s gift of grace in the Old Testament, which was the Law. The Law was given so that people could realise the grace of God and their needed reliance on him. Yet, many in that time manipulated the Law and used it as a means for sin. Thus, God gave “grace” also known as Jesus “where grace had already been given.” It is this grace that should make us in awe of God and lead to subsequent worship for Him. Finally, we know that no one has ever truly seen God, yet he is made known through Jesus who again is called God himself and in close relationship (the image here is like a child being held to the bosom of a parent) with God.
We thank God for the Word of God, Jesus himself, and this word that could allow us to know the theology behind Christmas. However, theology is merely knowledge unless it leads to doxology, liturgical expression of praise to God and acknowledgement of his supremacy in our lives. May we dwell on what John 1:14-18 means for us this Christmas, and may our understanding of this theology lead us to endless praise for our God.
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you Lord that you sent the Word, Jesus Christ, as fully man and fully God, so that there could be grace where grace was already given. We are in awe of your generosity and abundance and we pray that as we know more about you, the more our hearts are postured towards praise and worship for you.
In Jesus’ name we pray,
Amen