SEVEN DAYS TO CHRISTMAS: The Word Made Flesh

December 18 Devotional Meditation 

By Dr Patrick Elijah Anyomi 

Key Text:

"The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." — John 1:14 (NIV)

Devotional Meditation:

Break out in praise! The most stunning, revolutionary, universe-altering truth of Christmas is right here: The eternal Word became touchable flesh! Before creation, He was the Word—God's perfect expression, the blueprint of all things. At Christmas, that same Word wrapped Himself in human skin and moved into our neighborhood! The Greek word for "dwelt among us" (skēnoō) literally means "pitched His tent" with us. God didn't send a message; He became the Message. He didn't just speak love; He became Love with a heartbeat!

Why does this make Christmas so explosively joyful? Because now we have seen His glory—not in blinding light on a mountain, but in the gracious smile of Jesus healing the sick, in the truthful words that set captives free, in the compassionate hands that blessed children. His glory is the perfect blend of grace (unmerited favor that meets us in our mess) and truth (the unwavering reality of who God is). This is Emmanuel—"God with us"—not distant and detached, but present, personal, and full of authentic love.

So, celebrate with everything in you! The infinite became an infant. The Creator became a child. The unseen God became visible grace. When you look at the manger, you're not just looking at a baby; you're looking at God's perfect self-expression wrapped in swaddling cloths, here to save you, know you, and walk with you. He pitched His tent in our world so He could pitch His presence in your heart—forever!

Prayer of Wonder and Worship:

Word of God, made Flesh! We stand in awe of the magnificent mystery of You!

· We celebrate that You became one of us—Emmanuel, God with skin on, God with us!

· We have seen Your glory in the pages of scripture and in our lives—the glory full of grace that forgives us and truth that sets us free.

· Thank You for leaving the splendor of heaven to pitch Your tent in our humanity, to walk our roads, feel our pains, and carry our burdens.

· This Christmas, let the reality of "The Word made flesh" shake off any religious dryness and fill us with fresh, childlike wonder.

· May our lives become a dwelling place where Your grace and truth are on display for all to see.

Jesus, Glory of the Father! As we gaze upon the manger, let us truly see the majesty of God wrapped in humility. Fill our hearts with the overwhelming joy of Your presence with us—yesterday, today, and forever! In the glorious, human, and divine name of Jesus, Amen!

Declaration of His Presence:

"The Word became flesh and dwells in me! I have seen His glory—full of grace and truth. Emmanuel is my reality. God is with me, for me, and in me. This Christmas, I celebrate the God who moved in next door and now lives in my heart!"