It's almost a shame we've gotten so doggoned smart. I mean, come on, we're MUCH smarter than that naive little girl who bore the child, for she was left “pondering these things (about Jesus) in her heart”. And we KNOW we've got a huge edge over those stupid shepherds, after all, what else did they know but SHEEP? And those ignorant disciples - whose specialty was fishing, tax-collecting, tent-making, and things like that - they couldn't hold a candle to our improved systems of understanding what really happened when the Word was made flesh!! Oh, no, we have some pretty impressive formulas that have been created over the centuries since those ignorant and primitive days. We have a much better handle on explaining who Jesus is than they did, don't we? Well, we sure talk as if we do.

Did I get your attention? I hope so. :) Forget your formulas about Jesus. Those prepackaged phrases and quotes short-circuit understanding more often than they help it! Somehow we have fallen for the deception that being able to intellectually understand and explain Jesus is a substitute for the miraculous revelation that only comes from God. As you consider the small size of the package realize that the inside is much bigger than the outside (Thanx to C.S. Lewis for that phrase).

Stand in awe of the miracle of the incredible joining of the Creator and the Creation. Witness the “Emmanuel” - God with us. Consider the One who came to deliver us from our sin and condemnation. Behold the Word that was made flesh!

WORD

Word from the beginning, power sent of God

Son born of the Father … Jesus, He was called

Creator and creation joined in one

Glory of the highest humbled by the birth.

Lived among the dying full of grace and truth

Came to save His dying world

Behold the glory of the Holy One. Behold the glory in the Son

Word made flesh, He walked among us – God and man has become one

Come, see the wonder of the ages, come, see that which has not been known

Christ, the Word, still walks upon the earth, He lives in us who are His own

Word from the beginning … power sent of God

Son born of the Father … Jesus, He was called

Creator and creation joined in one

written and copyright by Jim Minker, 12/96

Until next time ….. scoopfully yours, the shovel (aka “Jim”)