The Nativity of Our Lord A

The Nativity of Our Lord A

John 1:1-18

“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” (John 1:14).

You do not have a disembodied God. Jesus Christ, the Word of God and the only God (cf. John 1:18), has become flesh—that is, Jesus Christ is the Word Incarnate. John delivers the purpose statement for the Word Incarnate in verses 16 & 17 of Chapter 3 in his gospel: believers in him are saved through him, no condemnation in him, and the world would be saved through him (cf. John 3:16-17). Your God is not far off, distant, hidden in the heavens. No, your God is near, dwelling among you, bringing salvation rather than condemnation. This is his glory, and it is displayed on the cross. Jesus died on the cross, surrendering his divinity rather than displaying it by coming down from the cross, calling down the heavenly host, and bringing down the righteous condemnation of a spurned divinity. Jesus’ glory was to die as any human mortal would. That glory, appearing as weak and foolish before the world, reveals Jesus’ fullness… his fullness of grace and truth. Jesus Christ, the Incarnate Word of God, is full… full of grace… the grace of your faithful God who never lies even in the face of his people’s deceit and unfaithfulness. Jesus Christ, the Incarnate Word of God is full… full of truth… the truth of your God who calls out his own name: “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness…” (Dt. 34:6). Jesus Christ, God Incarnate, emptied himself of equality with God, becoming obedient even unto death and this is his glory. God, the Father, has equally emptied himself of a godly condemnation in the sending of his Son, and this is his glory.

Prayers from one who knows little about emptying himself and so must be emptied of self by the Word Incarnate…

Empty me, Heavenly Father, that I may be filled by the glory of my Lord Jesus as he emptied himself on the cross, for Jesus’ sake. Amen

Empty me, Heavenly Father, that I may be filled with the faithfulness of a God who would be obedient unto death rather than condemn his disobedient people, for Jesus’ sake. Amen

Empty me, Heavenly Father, that I may be filled with the truth of your self-claimed name: merciful and gracious, for Jesus’ sake. Amen

Empty me, Heavenly Father, that I may be filled with love for my neighbors, providing them with the fruits of this creation and the fruits of the new creation coming into being through Jesus Christ, for Jesus’ sake. Amen

Empty me, Heavenly Father, that I may be filled by the love of my neighbors as they forgive me my failures at providing for them their daily bread, for Jesus’ sake. Amen

Empty me, Heaven Father, that I may be filled with prayers for the Institute of Lutheran Theology that its fruitfulness at raising up preachers and teachers for another generation be increased, for Jesus’ sake. Amen

Empty me, Heavenly Father, that I may be filled with hope when considering your faithfulness to your promises so that the days of my baptism would be ones of expectant waiting for your Son’s coming in glory, for Jesus’ sake. Amen