Every Christmas, we return to a familiar scene. We hear about a decree from Caesar, a long journey to Bethlehem, a baby wrapped in cloths and laid in a manger, shepherds startled by angels, and heaven breaking its silence with a song:
“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” (Luke 2:14)
It’s a beautiful account — one we know well.
- But Luke tells us what happened that night.
Luke 2:10 NIV But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.
- John tells us what it meant.
- Luke shows us a baby born in a specific place, at a specific time, under specific circumstances.
- John pulls back the curtain and tells us something even more astonishing:
“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.”
In other words, Christmas is not just about a birth — it is about God coming near.
- The manger was not the beginning.
- The angels were not the explanation.
- They were the announcement of something far greater:
The eternal God stepped into human history.
So this morning, we will briefly stand in Bethlehem with Luke — and then we will listen carefully to John, as he helps us understand the miracle behind the moment, the meaning behind the manger, and the grace behind the glory.
Because if Christmas is only a story we remember, we will miss the Savior who came to dwell among us.
The Message
Lead in reading John 1:1-13
JOHN 1:14–18 (NIV)
Theme: The miracle of Christmas is not just that God came — but that He came near.
The Word Became Flesh
John 1:14a (NIV)
14aThe Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.
Cross References (Written Out)
- Philippians 2:6–7 – “Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.”
- Hebrews 2:14 – “Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death.”
Why We Struggle
We often imagine God as distant, abstract, or detached from real human pain. It’s hard to believe God truly understands weakness, suffering, and limitation.
Know This
Christmas declares that God did not remain distant — He entered fully into human life.
Response of the Believer
- Trust that Jesus understands human weakness firsthand.
- Bring real struggles to Christ without fear.
- Worship God not just for His power, but for His humility.
God Made His Home Among Us (Emanuel)
John 1:14b (NIV)
14bWe have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
(Note: “made his dwelling” literally means “tabernacled”)
Cross References
- Exodus 25:8 – “Then have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them.”
- Revelation 21:3 – “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them.”
Why We Struggle
We compartmentalize faith — inviting God into spiritual moments but not daily life. We struggle to believe God desires closeness.
Know This
God’s glory is not revealed through distance — but through His presence.
Response of the Believer
- Invite Christ into everyday spaces, not just sacred ones.
- Practice awareness of God’s nearness daily.
- Let faith shape ordinary life, not just worship moments.
Glory Revealed Through Grace and Truth
John 1:14c (NIV)
“…full of grace and truth.”
Cross References
- Exodus 34:6 – “The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.”
- John 8:11 – “Neither do I condemn you… Go now and leave your life of sin.”
Why We Struggle
We tend to emphasize either grace or truth. Too much truth becomes harsh; too much grace becomes permissive.
Know This
Jesus perfectly embodies grace and truth — never compromising either.
Response of the Believer
- (Receive the Gift of Christmas) Receive both Christ’s forgiveness and His transforming call.
- (Give the Gift of Christmas) Extend grace to others without abandoning truth.
- Reflect Christ’s balance in relationships.
Grace Upon Grace
John 1:15–16 (NIV)
15John 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.’”16Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given.
Cross References
- Lamentations 3:22–23 – “Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning.”
- 2 Corinthians 12:9 – “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
Why We Struggle
We live as though grace is limited — as if we can exhaust God’s patience or wear out His mercy.
Know This
God’s grace is not rationed — it is replenished.
Response of the Believer
- Stop living in fear of “running out” of grace.
- Receive God’s daily provision with gratitude.
- Extend grace to others from what you’ve received.
Grace Replaces Law as the Final Word
John 1:17 (NIV)
17For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
Cross References
- Romans 8:1 – “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
- Galatians 3:24–25 – “The law was our guardian until Christ came… Now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.”
Why We Struggle
We default to performance-based faith — measuring worth by behavior rather than by grace.
Know This
The law reveals our need — Christ reveals God’s heart.
Response of the Believer
- Live from grace, not guilt.
- Let obedience flow from love, not fear.
- Rest in Christ’s finished work.
God Fully Revealed in Christ
John 1:18 (NIV)
18No 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.
Cross References
- Colossians 1:15 – “The Son is the image of the invisible God.”
- Hebrews 1:3 – “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being.”
Why We Struggle
We sometimes shape God in our own image or rely on assumptions rather than revelation.
Know This
If you want to know what God is like — look at Jesus.
Response of the Believer
- Let Christ define your understanding of God.
- Trust that God’s heart is fully revealed in Jesus.
- Follow Christ as the clearest revelation of truth.
THEOLOGICAL SUMMARY
John 1:14–18 teaches that:
- God entered human history through the incarnation
- God chose nearness over distance
- God revealed His glory through grace and truth
- Grace flows endlessly from Christ’s fullness
- Jesus is the final and fullest revelation of God
Christmas is the declaration that God has come near. Emanuel – God With Us
HEAD — What to Understand
- Jesus is fully God and was fully human.
- God’s glory is revealed through grace, not distance.
- Christ replaces law as the final word.
HEART — What to Feel
- Awe at God’s Grace and Love.
- Gratitude for undeserved grace.
- Assurance of God’s nearness.
HAND — What to Do
- Receive His grace daily.
- Extend grace to others.
- Live in awareness of God’s presence.
- Reflect Christ’s grace and truth in everyday life.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Christmas is about God coming near, not just a birth.
- Jesus reveals exactly what God is like.
- Grace is abundant and ongoing (replenished not portioned).
- The Law points to Christ, but Christ completes the story.
- God’s glory is most clearly seen in Jesus.
Closing Paragraph — Returning to Luke 2:14
That night in Bethlehem, the angels didn’t sing about a program, a plan, or a philosophy. They sang about a Person.
“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
- That peace did not come through power or politics.
- It did not arrive through force or control.
- It came because God came near.
The baby in the manger grew to reveal the heart of God — full of grace and truth. And the peace the angels announced was not just for a moment, but for all who would receive Him.
So as we step into Christmas this week, may we do more than remember a story — may we receive the Savior.
May our hearts give glory to God, and may our lives reflect the peace that comes when God makes His dwelling among us, and by the Holy Spirit within us.