The Word Became Flesh

Have you ever received a one-of-a-kind gift? Something unique, completely unlike anything you had ever seen or even heard of? When the apostle John referred to Jesus as the “only begotten of the Father,” the original Greek means “unique” or “one-of-a-kind.” And as God’s gift to us, Jesus — who is both fully God and fully man — is indeed unique. Yet, as the Lamb of God who died on the cross on behalf of sinful humanity, Jesus is not a gift to be hoarded.

What will you do to share your one-of-a-kind gift of Jesus with someone this season?

Promise

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it… And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. — John 1:1–5, John 1:14

Prophecy

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
Though you are little among the thousands of Judah,

Yet out of you shall come forth to Me
The One to be Ruler in Israel,
Whose goings forth are from of old,
From everlasting.”
Therefore He shall give them up,
Until the time that she who is in labor has given birth;

Then the remnant of His brethren
Shall return to the children of Israel.
And He shall stand and feed His flock
In the strength of the Lord,
In the majesty of the name of the Lord His God; And they shall abide,
For now He shall be great
To the ends of the earth;
And this One shall be peace.

When the Assyrian comes into our land, And when he treads in our palaces,
Then we will raise against him
Seven shepherds and eight princely men.”

— Micah 5:2–5

Bethlehem. Its name means “house of bread.” It had been renowned as the City of David. Yet by Jesus’ time, Bethlehem had become a humble town, small and seemingly insignificant. However, in that unassuming town, the prophet Micah said, the Messiah would be born. Micah’s message to God’s people was this:

Watch! Something important is going to happen in Bethlehem!”

Would people listen? Would Micah be right? Would the Bread of Life indeed come into this world in the “house of bread”?

Fulfillment

Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. — Luke 2:4–7

The journey had been commanded by Rome. Joseph the carpenter and Mary, his betrothed, would cover the ninety miles in about three days. The young woman was exceedingly pregnant, and when they arrived, Bethlehem was crowded to its limits. Yet — as Micah had foretold long ago — Mary and Joseph were in Bethlehem when the Savior of the world broke forth from Mary’s womb.

The young couple had been directed to a nearby stable, and there Mary gave birth to her firstborn Son, wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and placed Him in a feeding trough. God’s one and only Son had entered our dark and sinful world.

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Your Turn

Jesus is not a gift to be kept to oneself! What will you do to share your one-of-a-kind gift of Jesus with someone this season?Please, come join the conversation on our blog! ~ Devotionals Daily