The Coming Celebrated

MEMORY SELECTION: “The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father).” —John 1:14

SELECTED SCRIPTURE: Luke 2:7-20

THE Apostle John opens his Gospel by telling us that the Word was in the beginning with God, and that he was God. The Emphatic Diaglott renders it “Logos,” which is left untranslated from the original Greek; and when we note the article “ho” which precedes the first word “God” but does not precede the second word “god” (Diaglott interlineary), the text takes on new meaning. It should properly read as follows: “In the beginning was the Logos, and the Logos was with [“ho,” Theos] the God, and the Logos was [theos] a god. The same was in the beginning with [“ho,” Theos] the God.”

We also learn from the Apostle Paul that Jesus in his prehuman existence was the Logos, “Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: for by him were all things created, that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: and he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the Head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.”—Col. 1:15-18

Concerning the only begotten Son of God and the fact that he has preeminence above all other creatures, the psalmist says, “I will make him my firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth.” (Ps. 89:27) And our Lord, in reference to his prehuman existence, says, “These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God.”—Rev. 3:14

These passages, and others, provide us with substantial evidence that Jesus occupied a very important position and had a close relationship with the Heavenly Father before he left his former condition to become a man. Indeed, it was through him, as the Logos, that all things were created.—John 1:3; Prov. 8:22-31

It is strengthening to our faith to realize and appreciate more deeply, therefore, the fact that “though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might become rich.” (II Cor. 8:9) What a marvelous manifestation of grace on behalf of the sin-cursed and dying human family!

In the words of our memory selection, John points out that “the Word [Logos] was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father).” In this connection it should be understood that it was of our Lord’s own free will that he gave up his spiritual nature and position of excellence at the right hand of God that he might become a man and prove his obedience to the Father under conditions of trial and discipline while undertaking the tremendous burden of becoming an offering for sin on behalf of the whole human race.

Those who were associated with Jesus beheld the glory of a perfect man. And what a blessing to have personified in the flesh the attributes and characteristics of the Most High God! Perfect compliance to the divine will was demonstrated in every way.

The coming of Messiah had been anticipated for centuries, and now the time had arrived for the fulfillment of that event. After the birth of the babe Jesus, we read that shepherds were watching their flocks when “the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.”—Luke 2:8-11

That most important event had taken place in the humblest of surroundings. There was no fanfare as the lowly shepherds sought the newborn child in the manger. Yet the humble birth of our Lord was to be consistent with his later life and mission. Throughout his earthly ministry Jesus sought to avoid pomp and the honors of men. Instead, he devoted the whole strength of his being to the doing of his Father’s will.

It is at this season of the year that the world seeks to pay our Lord some form of honor and respect. In due time all will know him and will sing, even as the angels sang, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”—vs. 14

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