Grace Upon Grace

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was

with God, and the Word was God… And the Word

became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen

His glory, the glory as of the only Son of the Father,

full of grace and truth. For from His fullness we

have all received, grace upon grace.”

{John 1:1, 14, 16}

Yesterday was Christmas Day. Doubtless for most it was a time of celebrating our Savior’s birth and enjoying the blessings He gives. Yet for others the day may have been sorrowful or perhaps joyless or restless. Regardless of what your Christmas was like, we all have reason to have hope and to celebrate every day of our lives. As John writes in this passage, we have seen the glory of God in Jesus! Just think of it: This Jesus—the Word—who was God and who existed in the beginning with God “became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory.”  We have seen the glory of God! And God’s glory was full of grace and truth. Our hope is not ungrounded; at Christmas we see the shadow of the cross, for that is why Jesus came. We receive immeasurable grace in the truth that Jesus Christ accomplished our salvation through His death and resurrection and will one day dwell among us (Revelation 21:3). May you be drawn nearer to our great and glorious God as you marvel at His grace and goodness to us in Jesus!

Yahweh: the God from eternity past,

The Alpha, Omega—the First and the Last,

The Almighty Father who sits on the throne

And gave up His Son so to ransom His own;

The wellspring of joy and abundance of grace

Who poured out His life for the whole human race,

The Healer, Provider who lifts up the meek

And with His own power gives strength to the weak.

His might is unmatched, and His Word will not fail;

Against powers of darkness He soon will prevail.

In the light of His Presence, their faces they hide—

They know we will conquer with Christ on our side.

He’s too holy and righteous for us to behold—

He who laid out the heavens and earth from of old,

Who dwells in the heavens in unending light

And will one day redeem us and make all things right.

He’s the Giver of Life who Himself is our peace.

His praise in eternity never shall cease!

He’s the God of shalom who makes people whole—
I marvel at what He has done for my soul.