Come and behold him!

Many are asking, “Who can show us any good?” Let the light of your face shine upon us, O Lord.
~ Psalm 4:6

One of the things that I realize about the story of the nativity is that no one is outside looking in.   It's as if from the very beginning Jesus' whole life has been lived in vulnerability.  No where do we read about people standing outside the barn where he is born.  It is a mother, her child, the man who loves the mother, with a monumental assignment by God.  A star above, shining, with angelic proclamations, leading the way.  A light.  Signifying the life that is now present that will lead many out from the darkness.

The story begins with a small child in Bethlehem, who will become the unknown man of Nazareth, the rejected preacher, and finally the naked man on the cross.  Jesus is born into a world that continues to shout, scream and overwhelm us with its claims and promises.  The promise is not necessarily hidden.  Nor are those who arrive to see the child turned away.  It is always about seeing Jesus for who he is.

For us today, this story remains about hope.  John writes that in the beginning there was the word, and the word became flesh.  Jesus is that word, spoken into existence just as the light was called out of the darkness.

Jesus is the written word of divine hope.  Today Jesus is still the divine word of hope in the midst of our dark world.

Behold, a child is born!  His name is Jesus!  Come and behold him.

Stay in God's grip!

G. Todd Williams (c) 2019