Reflecting on Christmas (again)

Last year I blogged about the notion that Christmas is about our receiving, not giving. Grace is about what God gave us in the redemptive love of Jesus and the truth about ourselves found in receiving this gift. In the John 1 passage I focused on the grace and truth found in the Incarnate Christ.

I still like the Christmas story found in verse 14, but this year God drew my attention to another word in the verse, "beheld". "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us and we beheld His glory .."

While emphasis is on giving in remembrance of the gift we have been given in Jesus and on receiving because unless and until we receive the gift, we don't have it, I like to reflect on the idea of beholding His glory. Taking it on and sharing in it, now that's a cool idea. Maybe even awesome!!!!!

Appropriating the gift is the Christian life. Soaking in His Glory so others may see Him. Being lavished with the provisions and privileges of the Heavenlies, that sounds nice. Our life becomes not some expectation of God because we give to others or some legalistic obligation to do great things for God but to point to Him through Thanksgiving. That's what others should see in us.

Merry Christmas!!!