ODJ: a dad for Christmas

December 9, 2013 

READ: John 1:1-5, 9-14 

To all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God (v.12).

Most children will ask Santa for an extensive list of toys and treats this Christmas. A study of 2,000 British parents revealed, however, that the majority of children in the UK put a new baby brother or sister at the top of their Christmas list, closely followed by a request for a real life reindeer. The 10th most popular Christmas wish on the list was a “Dad.”

In his written account, John tells us who Jesus really is: Firstly, Jesus is Creator (1:1-5). “In the beginning the Word . . .” (v.1) echoes the opening phrase of the book of Genesis (Genesis 1:1). Jesus is the self-existent, pre-existent, omnipotent, eternal, Creator God. He’s the Logos who spoke everything into existence, giving light and life to His creation (John 1:4-5; Genesis 1:3,20-28).

Secondly, Jesus is God Incarnate (John 1:9-14). Twice John spoke of Jesus’ incarnation. The Creator “came into the very world he created” and “became human and made his home among us” (vv.10,14). Jesus added humanity to His deity, becoming one Person with two natures—perfectly human and yet perfectly divine (Philippians 2:6-8).

Jesus entered our world to “[give] light to everyone” so that we don’t need to live in sin’s darkness (John 1:9, 3:19-21, 12:46). He came to give us new life (1:13, 3:6-7, 8:12), so that we can live as God’s children (1:12; Galatians 4:4-7).

Jesus offers us the gift of sonship. The gift of a perfect “Dad” is at the top of list of the many bountiful blessings He wants us to experience this Christmas. “But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12).

Seek your “Abba, Father” this Christmas! —K.T. Sim