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"Emmanuel: Glimpses of God Incarnate," December 5
Sunday, December 5
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Philippians 2:9
“God as Exalter”
IN THE BEGINNING, eternal power was established when a few words were uttered, and creation was called and obediently responded. The earth, the moon, the sun, and stars all took their appropriate places on stage as God declared, “Let there be.” God continued to speak, and voids were filled as the earth took form, the waters divided, and the day separated from night. With the “where” now in place, God spoke through love and the “who” came to life. On the sixth day, before a much-deserved rest, God’s image was shaped from the dust of the ground, received the breath of life, and became a living soul.
Through time and choices this cherished relationship, nurtured in Eden’s garden, became strained and in need of repair. Thankfully, through divine wisdom, God had already answered the “when” and “how” in eternity. In perfect time, after 400 years of silence and through forty-two generations, God revealed the solution when the Word became flesh and dwelled among us. With no room in the inn, he was born in a manger, wrapped in swaddling clothes, announced by angels, sought after by Herod, identified by a star, and witnessed by shepherds.
Although despised by an earthly king and rejected by his own, he was highly exalted by God with a name above every name. At the sound of his name every knee will bow, and every tongue must confess that Jesus is Lord. Advent reminds me of the love God has for me, that salvation is intentional, and through exhortation God creates. Through Christmas God creates a window that allows humanity to see the heart of God. Through the incarnation of the Word, we have the opportunity to embrace God and become a new creation. As we approach Christmas, my heart rejoices as I am reminded God still speaks, just like in the beginning. God’s Word is active and can be born anew in our lives, and God’s love is a sacrificial gift with an eternal life-giving promise to all who are willing to accept him.
– Rev. Dr. Daryl Horton (MDiv’15), Lecturer in the Certificate in Jewish-Christian Relationship Program
