Is it too soon to start focusing on the incarnation? In a sense, it’s kind of a crazy question. What’s happened to us that we’ve relegated the wonder of Immanuel to a once a year consideration starting after Thanksgiving (here in the USA). Many of us cringe that the sellers of goods start “decking their halls” before Halloween . . . while Christmas is much anticipated, please not too soon! But back to Immanuel . . . back to God in flesh . . . what a chunk of wonder we put in the closet, along with the decorations, for most of the year. Well, John’s not waiting . . .

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the Word of life–the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us–that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.   (1John 1:1-3 ESV)

That which was from the beginning . . . the Word of life . . . the eternal life . . . with the Father . . . manifest to us . . . seen with our eyes . . . looked upon and touched with our hands . . . it’s enough to make the awe-o-meter go off its scale!

Maybe we should spend more time chewing on the wonder of “God with Us” apart from “the Season” . . . away from all the craziness . . . separated from the events and the traditions. More frequently taking some downtime, setting apart some quiet time to consider afresh that the eternal Word of life was manifest to men . . . seen and handled . . . encountered and engaged. To ask again, What manner of love compelled God the Father to send His Son Jesus Christ to humble Himself, take on the form of a man, own the essence of servant, and interact with a fallen world with the purpose of giving His perfect life as a substitutionary death for fallen men and women? To think that the plan of redemption required that the Redeemer become like those He desired to redeem . . . yet without sin.

And then to consider anew that He came not only to pay the price for our sin . . . but to also restore the relationship we were created for. Redeemed and reconciled . . . and our fellowship is with the Father and His Son . . . unreal! Amen?

How easy to take it for granted . . . to become complacent at the magnitude of privilege that is mine to get up each morning knowing that the Spirit looks forward to my morning devo’s as much as I do . . . that as I long to “re-connect” through the Word, meditation, and prayer, He too is equally anxious to commune with me. Really? Yeah, I’m thinkin’ . . .

Fellowship with the Father . . . communion with the Son . . . by faith seeing and handling the Word of life . . . through the Spirit hearing His voice . . . O’ praise God for the Word manifest among us.

Forgive us Lord for packaging the incarnation into a distraction filled box of time at the end of the year. Instead, Spirit who desires to make Him known, let us never stray far from the wonder of the Life that was manifest among us.

Too soon to start focusing on the incarnation? Evidently not!

O’ come let us adore Him!