Why Christmas Must be Controversial Part III

John 1:1-3, and v.14 draw together two extremely bold themes in regard to the status (“person”) of Jesus of Nazareth.  Moving backwards, I cite first v. 14 which highlights the Biblical claim that Jesus came into the world in the same way that we all do, that is, through the birth canal of a woman.  Early Christianity affirmed the full humanity of Jesus (Hebrews 4:15), and consequently fought against the competing notion that Jesus was never really a fully flesh-and-blood human being, by stating, “And the Word became flesh” (v.14. See also 1 John 1:1-3). 

Now to John 1:1-3, as to the One who came in the flesh on that night we call Christmas, was no less than God the creator of all things (See also Genesis 1, Philippians 2:6, Colossians 1:16, Hebrews 1:2, 2 Peter 1:1).  The Christmas message is that God became human in Jesus of Nazareth.  He is “The Word become flesh” in John 1:14, “the image of the invisible God” in Colossians 1:15, and the One who “bears the very stamp of God’s nature” (Hebrews 1:3).  Of Himself Jesus said to Philip, “He who has seen me has seen the Father” (John 14:9).

To the questions raised three paragraphs above, the message of Christmas offers its (ramification-laden answer that the baby born in Bethlehem is no less than God Almighty who came in the flesh.  In the face of that claim neither apathy nor indifference is a rational option.  We are instead confronted with the all-important choice to either walk from Him, or receive Him as Savior and Lord (John 1:12).

May this Christmas become, for you, the most blest of all Christmases.