Monday January 4, 2021

As I enter into this time of prayer and reflection, I pause to be still; to breathe slowly; to recenter my scattered senses upon the presence of God.

Lord, as we enter into a brand new year, help me to be still and find you in these peaceful moments. Amen.

In the beginning, was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him, nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

John 1:1-5, 14

Incarnation is at the very heart of the gospel. The divine nature of the Word was perfectly united with human nature in one divine Person, Jesus Christ, as both “truly God and truly human.”

“He became what we are that He might make us what He is.” – Athanasius, bishop of Alexandria (c. 296-373)

Author James Bryan Smith writes, “This quote, from the early church father, Athanasius… pointed me to the reality that God’s intention is not merely to forgive me, but to inhabit me, to infuse me with his life… Jesus (the Word) became a human being, lived a life just like ours, not merely to get us into heaven when we die, but to infuse heaven into us now.”

•  As you read the scripture passage once more, what word, phrase or thought grabs your attention?

• What new thoughts about Incarnation do the quotes from Athanasius and James Bryan Smith provide for you? 

When you are finished with your time of reflection, close out this time with this prayer.
 
Lord, help me make space within for you to infuse your light into my heart. As I go out into the day, help me share your light with others in all I do, and say. Amen.