Love: God Moved In

John 1:14 ESV

14 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.

Introduction (3–4 minutes)

At Christmas, we talk a lot about love.

We sing about it. We wrap it in lights and decorations. We express it with gifts.

But love isn’t proven by what we say, buy, or how our house or trees are adorned—it’s proven by what we’re willing to do.

As the great D.C. talk says, “Love is a word that requires some action…Love, Love is a verb!”

If you really love someone, you show up. You draw near. You enter their world.

That’s why it is so good that John tells the Christmas story different than Matthew and Luke do. He doesn’t start with shepherds or angels.

He starts with eternity—John 1:1-5

John 1:1–5 ESV

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

and then makes the most stunning statement about LOVE!

This is Christmas.

John 1:14 ESV

14 And the Word became flesh…

God Became Human

John 1:14a – “And the Word became flesh…”

John tells us that…the eternal Word—who existed before time, who created all things—became flesh.

He does not say the Word entered a man. He does not say the Word temporarily wore a human body. He says the Word became flesh.

The same verb John used earlier in John 1:3 is the same verb used in John 1:14 this morning.

“All things were made through Him”

The One who created humanity became/was made into human.

The early church fathers meditated GREATLY upon this truth. Theologians have written countless volumes upon how and why God became flesh. This truth is VERY important to our understanding of God’s character, design, will, and willingness to do whatever it takes to love His people.

That’s the miracle of Christmas.

God didn’t send a representative to LOVE his people. (Adlib, he came himself) God didn’t issue a decree in the form of a letter. (Adlib, he came himself) God came Himself as He became human. (Adlib)

Which means God understands:

Fatigue

Hunger

Rejection

Grief

Pain

You can say of other people that’s they don’t know what it is like to be you. But you can never say, “God doesn’t know what this is like.”

(Don’t say) Examples of Jesus loving through above.

Jesus after a long journey of waking he sits by Jacob’s well. And there waits for an encounter with a woman that would change her life and the trajectory of a whole region. He loved through fatigue.

Right after John the Baptist was killed, Jesus’ cousin, Jesus needs to getaway. But the hungry crowds follow him on foot and arrive ahead of him, ruining his retreat plans. I know how I would respond, my cousin was just killed. My own life is in danger. I need some time to process, pray, and unwind. The disciples responded this way too. Send the crowds away to the nearby villages to find some food. But that is not what Jesus did. He loved through the grief.

In the midst of being mocked, beaten, and prepared to be hung on the cross between two criminals, Jesus says, “Forgive them, for they know not what they do.” He loved through rejection and pain.

We don’t get to say that Jesus doesn’t know what it is like to be us. That is why he is able to love so well. As if the things we have been through are somehow excuses to not LOVE fully!

At Christmas, we celebrate that He knows what it is like to be us and still loves us.

This is love with skin on.

Application:

Do you know that God knows what it is like to be you. He isn’t distant, unknowing, clueless about your hurts, hang ups, feelings. He knows what you are going through because He knows all. The bitterness, the rejection, the temptations, the anxiety, the joys, the laughter, all of it…he knows. But he also know what it is like to experience all of the things you are experiencing! It is always better and easier to find comfort when someone knows what it is like to go through something. God knows.

You can love through the hard things of life. You can rest, take breaks, find retreats, but sometimes you are going to be called to love through the difficulties of life like Jesus did. And God will empower you to do it!

John 1:14 14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us…

God Moved Into Our Neighborhood

John says the Word “dwelt” among us. Literally, He pitched His tent. This is tabernacle language which harkens us back.

In the Old Testament, God dwelled with His people in a tent during their wilderness journey. Now John says: God has pitched His tent again—but this time in human flesh.

God didn’t visit. God didn’t stop by. God moved in.

Jesus lived real life:

He worked

He ate meals

He formed friendships

He experienced sorrow and joy

Christmas tells us that God is not distant or detached. He entered our mess. He lived next door.

This matters—especially at Christmas.

Because for some people, this season is not joyful. It’s lonely. It’s painful. It’s complicated.

And Christmas says: God came anyway.

He moved toward brokenness. He moved toward pain. He moved toward us.

Application:

And now, as His people, we are called to do the same—to live incarnationally, present with others, offering grace and truth in real life.

At work, you might feel pressured to conform to a culture that values profit over people. Combat this struggle by intentionally showing kindness and integrity in your decisions. Make a point to recognize a coworker's effort or share a positive word during staff meetings. Living out your faith at work through acts of kindness can create a ripple effect. You'll not only bring Christ’s love into your workplace but also inspire others to embody similar values, fostering a more uplifting and respectful workplace environment.

In public settings, such as shopping or during commutes, it's easy to become absorbed in our lives and ignore others. Challenge yourself to be an embodiment of Christ's love by starting conversations with others. For instance, when waiting in line, offer a genuine compliment or a smile, and pay attention to their response. This interaction could provide a moment of encouragement for someone otherwise feeling isolated. By actively engaging with those around you, you’re living out the incarnation of Christ in the mundane moments of life.

You have no idea how God might use you.

God Revealed His Glory

John 1:14 ESV

14 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 says, “We have seen His glory.”

Not glory like lightning or thunder. Not glory like military power.

Glory revealed in grace and truth.

Jesus NEVER sacrificed truth for kindness. And He never withheld grace in the name of truth.

He embodied both perfectly.

This is what transforms lives.

Grace says, “You are welcome.” Truth says, “You are called to something more.”

At Christmas, we celebrate that God didn’t just come to sympathize—He came to save.

You can be saved by making him Lord of your life! Will you make me Lord of your life? Did you? Or are you?

Application:

The Christians responsibility is to maintain a close communion with the Lord so that Christ’s life and power enable you in your walk, your work, your witness, and your spiritual warfare.

Our Lord lived his life … to give the normal standard for our lives.

Oswald Chambers (Lecturer and Missionary)

Conclusion (4–5 minutes)

From Genesis, where God walked with humanity… To Exodus, where God dwelled among His people… To the prophets, who promised God would come Himself…

Christmas is the fulfillment of God’s promise:

“The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.”

God became human. God moved in. God revealed His glory.

And today, He invites us to respond.

Not just to admire the story— But to welcome Him.

To trust Him. To follow Him. To live lives filled with grace and truth.

Because Christmas is not just about God coming near.

It’s about God coming for us.

Closing Line (Optional)

This Christmas, remember: God didn’t shout His love from heaven— He showed it by moving into our world.

Does anybody need to give thanks for the way God has loved them? You have been taking it for granted, unappreciative, complaining, negative, focused on the wrong things. Today, maybe the message for you is to remember God’s love for you! Maybe you need to slip out of your seat today and come and kneel at these altars to

Does anybody need to move into the neighborhood of those God is laying on your heart to love!

Does anybody need to make Jesus their Lord!