“How we celebrate the incarnation of Christ matters deeply.”
Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – December 16, 2025
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14
As the Christmas season has grown in notoriety as the most stressful of the year, an idea has crept into the Christian culture that goes something like this: It doesn’t matter what you do at Christmas time as long as you have the right heart attitude and remember that it’s all about Jesus; so take it easy this year. It sounds so right, so spiritual, doesn’t it? After all, we don’t want to get caught up in the rip roll of commercial Christmas and forget the one true reason we have to celebrate. But is it true that it doesn’t matter what we do as long as we think right thoughts?
The verse for this reflection summarizes the most wondrous mystery ever known to mankind or angels: the Incarnation. The Spirit that hovered over the waters at the beginning of time and brought matter out of nothing, order out of chaos, clothed himself in matter of his own making. No matter how much we think on that fact, we will never plumb the depths of its awesome wonderment. But the incarnation is so much more than a fact to ponder. It has implications for everything we do in life. Because Christ took on human flesh, he redeemed it and made it sacred. And when he comes to dwell with us, our physical bodies become the temple of the Most High. We worship him in spirit, but as embodied souls, we worship him in body as well. What we do matters. Or you might say matter matters. That is why Christ commanded his people to eat the bread and drink the cup in communion. It’s why the Apostle Paul urged the redeemed, “Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). Our fasting and feasting, our welcoming and giving, our creating and sharing all matter.
So how do we worship our King at Christmas? Of course, prepare your heart and put Jesus in the centre of all your festivities. Then pull out all the stops! Give generously, gather with God’s people, prepare the feast, deck the halls with light and beauty, sing the old hymns, and snuggle up with your loved ones on the sofa to enjoy it all. Let us invite the Word become flesh into the human drama of our celebrations. This is our offering to the God who entered into this physical world and made his dwelling with us.
Prayer
Immanuel, thank you for entering into your world and becoming flesh to redeem humanity. Show me how to work out my faith in all that I do, especially as I take time to celebrate your coming this Christmas season. May all be to your glory. Amen.
Application
Consider your Advent and Christmas traditions. Do the things you do help you to remember and embody the coming of Christ? What new traditions or liturgical practices might you add?
Related Reading
Mark 14:22-24; John 3:19-21; Philippians 4:8-9; Colossians 2:19; Hebrews 2:14
Worship Resource
Celtic Worship: Hark the Herald
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