A Family Gift
John 1:1-18 (NLT)
1 In the beginning the Word already existed.
The Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
2 He existed in the beginning with God.
3 God created everything through him,
and nothing was created except through him.
4 The Word gave life to everything that was created,
and his life brought light to everyone.
5 The light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness can never extinguish it.
6 God sent a man, John the Baptist, 7 to tell about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony. 8 John himself was not the light; he was simply a witness to tell about the light. 9 The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.
10 He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. 11 He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. 12 But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. 13 They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.
14 So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.
15 John testified about him when he shouted to the crowds, “This is the one I was talking about when I said, ‘Someone is coming after me who is far greater than I am, for he existed long before me.’”
16 From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another. 17 For the law was given through Moses, but God’s unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God. But the unique One, who is himself God, is near to the Father’s heart. He has revealed God to us.
THE
John 1:1
In the beginning the Word already existed.
The Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
If Jesus is the eternal Word—fully God and present at creation—what does that demand of my trust, worship, and obedience today?
THE
John 1:14
14 So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.
How should the physical, developmental, vulnerable humanity of Jesus impact the way we worship Him?
THE
John 1:10-11
“He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. 11 He came to his own people, and even they rejected him.”
Galatians 4:4
“But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law.
Daniel 9:24-25
24 “A period of seventy sets of seven has been decreed for your people and your holy city to finish their rebellion, to put an end to their sin, to atone for their guilt, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to confirm the prophetic vision, and to anoint the Most Holy Place. 25 Now listen and understand! Seven sets of seven plus sixty-two sets of seven will pass from the time the command is given to rebuild Jerusalem until a ruler—the Anointed One—comes. Jerusalem will be rebuilt with streets and strong defenses, despite the perilous times.
What would it look like for your family to celebrate Christmas in a way that reflects Jesus as the centerpiece rather than a seasonal add-on?
THE
John 1:12-14
John 1:12 But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. 13 They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.
14 So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.
If you are an unbeliever:
If Jesus is the perfect gift, what is keeping me from receiving Him today?
If you are a believer:
Am I living as someone adopted by God, or still trying to prove my worth?
Reflection Questions:
If Jesus is the eternal Word—fully God and present at creation—what does that demand of my trust, worship, and obedience today?
“How should the physical, developmental, vulnerable humanity of Jesus impact the way we worship Him?”
What would it look like for your family to celebrate Christmas in a way that reflects Jesus as the centerpiece rather than a seasonal add-on?
If Jesus is the perfect gift, what is keeping me from receiving Him today?
Am I living as someone adopted by God, or still trying to prove my worth?