A Year with Jesus: 'Pitching My Tent'

What Jesus Might Say

Dear Disciple,

I love the way My beloved disciple you know as John describes My coming to earth: "The Voice took on flesh and became human and chose to live alongside us" (John 1:14). Quite literally, his words could be translated as saying that I "pitched My tent" among you.

As God, I didn't just come close; I moved into your neighborhood as one of you. So during the rush of your Christmas season, I hope you will join Me - "the one true Son of the Father" - at the manger, experience the wonder of the shepherds, and share My story with all who will listen.

Verses Jesus Might Suggest

The powerful truth of My coming is this: the Father's voice became "the Voice," Me. I came as the full incarnation of the message, the Father's ultimate Word (Hebrews 1:1-3) given to you, yet fully human flesh as one of you!

As soon as the heavenly messengers disappeared into heaven, the shepherds were buzzing with conversation.

Shepherds:
Let's rush down to Bethlehem right now! Let's see what's happening! Let's experience what the Lord has told us about!
So they ran into town, and eventually they found Mary and Joseph and the baby lying in the feeding trough. After they saw the baby, they spread the story of what they had experienced and what had been said to them about this child. Everyone who heard their story couldn't stop thinking about its meaning.
(Luke 2:15-18)

The true Light, Who shines upon the heart of everyone, was coming into the cosmos.

He entered our world, a world He made; yet the world did not recognize Him. Even though He came to His own people, they refused to listen and receive Him. But for all who did receive and trust in Him, He gave them the right to be reborn as children of God; He bestowed this birthright not by human power or initiative but by God’s will.

The Voice took on flesh and became human and chose to live alongside us. We have seen Him, enveloped in undeniable splendor - the one true Son of the Father - evidenced in the perfect balance of grace and truth.
(John 1:9-14)

Our Response in Prayer

Holy God, I cannot begin to understand the incarnation - You in human flesh in Jesus, placed in a manger, wrapped in strips of cloth, and welcomed by shepherds. It doesn't fit in my head. But, dear God, Your incarnation in Jesus touches my heart. Your love fills me with wonder knowing that You would "pitch your tent" among us to live as one of us. So I praise You for making such a bold move to make me Your child. I commit to following the shepherds' example and share Jesus' birth with all who will listen. It is in the name of Jesus, the Son of God, that I pray. Amen.