ADVENT - DAY 23 - CREATIVE WORD

ANTICIPATING GOD IN THE CHRISTMAS SEASON (A Daily Advent Devotional)

Over the next few days till Christmas I would like you to take a journey with me in anticipation.  Let's daily look at the events leading up to the birth of Christ with a sense of anticipation of His arrival into this world and into our lives.  (Inspired by the Book "The Miraculous Journey" by Marty A. Bullis).

Advent - Day 23 - Creative Word

John lets us in on foundational Advent - the "first arrival" we might say.  This advent is described in the first three verses of John's gospel - lines that are as poetic and beautiful as any recorded.  They are a consise creation story describing the source of our world.  It's a foundational account speaking to a foundational question that is often asked - "Where did I come from?"  John gives us an answer both philosophical and theological.

The Greek word is "Arche" - the beginning.  We've heard this word before in Mark's Gospel story. It rings true in our ears.  John has carefully chosen it for his opening.  We're at attention, ready to be given an answer our question of where do we come from.  John doesn't miss a beat.  "The Word" - the Greek word is "Logos" stands at the end of all our questions.  We are all given a birthright - it is Logos.  We have "Logos."  It is personal.  It is capable of being incarnated.  All other questions about our beginning quiet down as we hear about this being.  God's Word, Christ Jesus, is an "Arche", wording all things into existence.  We are now at the source: original Advent.

As we celebrate Christmas and the Words incarnation, John reminds us that Christ has been around all along.  It's not as if He's been uninvolved, and then hears about us, only to arrive late.  He's been on the story since moment-one, working His purposes even in a world that has made itself hostile to His voice.  The Word speaks through the clanging noise of the fall of humanity and makes itself understood again.  Incarnation clears our ears, provides the makings of belief.  Belief throws us back to our divine ancestry: "Yes, this is where I came from.  This is home."