Christian Reflection and Prayer

Christmas Day

Scripture:

Exodus 40:34-38. TEXT: And the Word ... dwelt among
us (see John 1:14).


When God led the nation of Israel out of Egypt by the
hand of Moses, they traveled through the wilderness
until they reached Mount Sinai. On that mountain the
Lord wrote the Ten Commandments on two stone tablets,
and gave Moses the design to build the Tabernacle-a
special tent that served as the place of worship in the
wilderness. When Moses set up the Tabernacle with all
its furnishings, all Israel could see the glorious presence
of the Lord entering and filling that tent-a pillar of cloud
by day and a pillar of fire by night.

John has this Tent of Meeting in mind when he writes of
Jesus' birth. In Greek he writes, "The Word became flesh
and 'tabernacled' among us." Jesus' infant body is the
tent in which God's glory dwells night and day. Like the
Old Testament Tabernacle, He moves from place to place
among His people revealing His glory through word and
deed until His work of salvation is complete.

Of this same human body Jesus will later tell His
enemies, "Destroy this temple, and I will rebuild it in
three days" (see John 2:19). Indeed they nailed His body
to the cross and put Him to death. But through His
suffering and death Jesus satisfied God's wrath at our
sins, and freed us from hell. But His body didn't remain
dead. On the third day He rose it to life again, promising
one day He will raise our bodies and make them glorious
like His own.

THE PRAYER: 

Lord Jesus, thank You for coming to dwell among us as
our Brother, revealing Your glory, and turning away Your
Father's wrath by taking our place on the cross. Fill us
with peace and joy this Christmas and always. Amen.

(Lutheran Hour Ministries)