The Word Becomes Flesh

The best way of communicating with people is always in person, face to face.

When we write letters or texts or emails, there is often room for confusion or ambiguity. It is not always clear what we mean to emphasise or draw attention to. Intonation is lost or, worse, misconstrued.

Even speaking on the phone has its problems: without the aid of non-verbal clues, subtle meanings can be missed.

Yes, the best way to communicate with someone is in person, face to face.

God sent His Son at Christmas so that He could communicate with us in person, face to face. In the past, God had spoken through prophets and through signs (He spoke to Moses through a burning bush and followed the Israelites when they left Egypt as a pillar of cloud in the day and fire at night). But He hadn't spoken face to face with anyone since Adam and Eve. walked with Him in the Garden of Eden and spoke to Him face to face.

But after our disobedience, we could no longer enjoy this uninterrupted, unspoilt communion with our heavenly Father.

Until the birth of Jesus.

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning [...] The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

[John 1:1-2, 14 NIV]

John describes Jesus as the Word - He is the embodiment of everything that God wanted to say to us.  He provides the way for us to have a conversation with God in person, face to face.

I love these words in the carol 'O Come All Ye Faithful'

"Word of the Father

Now in flesh appearing."

We can often question how we can hear God's voice or what He might say in different circumstances.  But rather than feeling hopeless at the idea that we don't know what He is saying, we can turn to Jesus, who embodies God's message of love and grace and forgiveness.

It's Not What You Say, It's How You Say It

I was told the other day that I talk a lot with my hands.

We were at a training session about communication and how significant non-verbal features are.  Apparently 70% of what we say is non-verbal. 

Most of what we say isn't with words.

Sometimes we can spend ages thinking about the perfect way to phrase something or the best words to use to help someone to understand our points.  But what really matters is the way we say it.  The tone of our voice, the pace of our voice, the volume of our voice, our eye contact, our body language, our hand gestures...

It's the same when it comes to faith.  Most of what we say about what we believe is non-verbal.  It's in our lifestyles.  And other people look for these things.

We say it in the way we greet them, the way we treat them, the way we handle stress, the way we handle disappointment, the way we comfort others, the way we support others, the way we show kindness, the way we show grace, the way we forgive, the way we forget, the way we give away our love, the way we give away our money.

We say more with our lives than with our words.

What are you saying with your lifestyle?

"Treat everyone you meet with dignity.  Love your spiritual family.  Revere God.  Respect the government."

[1 Peter 2:17, MSG]

"Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity."

[Colossians 4:5, NLT]

I talk a lot with my hands.  But I hope that I talk a lot with my lifestyle too.