He has also set eternity on the hearts of men;
yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to the end. ~ Eccl. 3:11
You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end. ~ Luke 1:31-32
But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see--I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord." ~ Luke 2:10-11
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors." ~ Luke 2:13-14
And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. ~ John 1:14 (NAS)
John 1:14, Young's Literal Translation--I just discovered this today, and I believe it captures the awesomeness of the day:
And the Word became flesh, and did tabernacle among us, and we beheld his glory, . . . (bold mine).
I've never heard tabernacle used as a verb, but it brings an amazing new level of awareness, if you understand the importance of the Tabernacle. The Tabernacle was the central focus of the Hebrews as they wandered in the wilderness. All tribes assembled themselves around the Tabernacle when they pitched their tents. It was the center of sacrifice and atonement. It was, literally, where God resided among His people. It held the Holy of Holies, and the Shekinah Glory--the very presence of God.
And the Word was God (John 1), and became a man, and was present among us.
In the tiny baby, born to an obscure family in a tiny town, God became flesh--all of His awesomeness contained in a frail, breakable human body. Emmanuel. God with us. How can we possibly fathom this? It brings tears to my eyes to think about.
Merry Christmas!
You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end. ~ Luke 1:31-32
But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see--I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord." ~ Luke 2:10-11
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors." ~ Luke 2:13-14
And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. ~ John 1:14 (NAS)
John 1:14, Young's Literal Translation--I just discovered this today, and I believe it captures the awesomeness of the day:
And the Word became flesh, and did tabernacle among us, and we beheld his glory, . . . (bold mine).
I've never heard tabernacle used as a verb, but it brings an amazing new level of awareness, if you understand the importance of the Tabernacle. The Tabernacle was the central focus of the Hebrews as they wandered in the wilderness. All tribes assembled themselves around the Tabernacle when they pitched their tents. It was the center of sacrifice and atonement. It was, literally, where God resided among His people. It held the Holy of Holies, and the Shekinah Glory--the very presence of God.
And the Word was God (John 1), and became a man, and was present among us.
In the tiny baby, born to an obscure family in a tiny town, God became flesh--all of His awesomeness contained in a frail, breakable human body. Emmanuel. God with us. How can we possibly fathom this? It brings tears to my eyes to think about.
Merry Christmas!