If you were to ask strangers on the street, “What is the mystery of Christmas?” what do you think they would tell you? They might talk about Santa Claus, gift-giving, family, joy, or the spirit of Christmas.
If the person is a singer, he or she might break out in song and sing “Snow, Snow, Beautiful Snow,” “Jingle Bells,” “Santa Claus is Coming to Town,” or “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer.”
All these things are important to our celebration of Christmas and part of the mystique, but the greatest mystery of all was recorded by the Apostle John when he said, “The Word became flesh and made his home among us. We have seen his glory, glory like that of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14, CEB).
John used the Greek noun “Logos” to identify the Son of God, the Word becoming flesh, the true mystery of Christmas. Logos was a gentile term that we cannot adequately translate into English.
Logos in Greek philosophy meant both the source and fundamental order of the cosmos. It was considered the divine animating principle pervading the universe. It is normally, however inadequately, translated as “Word” because it was also used to describe learned argument, rational discourse, and educated communication.
John was saying that Jesus was God’s intelligent communication of His love, will, and true nature to humanity. By using a gentile philosophical term instead of a Jewish theological word, John was asserting that the birth, life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Christ are bigger than the fulfillment of a Jewish expectation and are events of universal significance involving the entire human race and all creation.
The Logos of God is the creative power of God, who once created the universe by His word and is now re-creating it from the ground up. The Logos is the communication of God by which He defines and reveals Himself perfectly and without error. It is the light that fills every person who receives the communication, and saves them from the darkness of human corruption, death, and the devil.
The Logos is the source of life for all who are receptive and believe in it. Those receiving this divine revelation are not just religious adherents, but they are transformed into children of God, born again into intimate communion with the Father.
In virtually all other religions, there is the belief that one can worship and know something about God, but having intimacy and union with God is beyond the scope of human capacity. The Christian Gospel asserts that it is God’s plan and will that we know Him, be transformed by His Spirit, and live in unity and harmony with Him through the Logos. This is accomplished not by human effort, but by God’s grace, mercy, love, and desire.
The Logos becoming flesh is a divine mystery that asserts that God took on human flesh in the person of Jesus. He is Immanuel, “God with us” in the most genuine, yet unimaginable, way. Jesus in his personhood was literally full of God’s grace and truth. He is God Himself offering us forgiveness, cleansing, transformation, salvation, and life. He made the Father’s heart known to each of us.
It is fine to talk about Santa Claus and participate in the wonder of the Christmas season, but don’t miss the opportunity to come to a manger and be filled with wonder. Be amazed by what God has done and is still doing through the birth of Himself into human form to bring to us His love, communication, and salvation.
Yahweh, the great “I am” came to be present in our world. He continues to be present in the Spirit of Jesus. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you have really known me, you will also know the Father. From now on you know him and have seen him.” (John 14:6-7, CEB).
He came to give us hope and birth love into a world filled with hate and violence. He came to redeem us from the clutches of the devil and give us victory over corruption and death, that we might know God and receive the gift of eternal union with God as His children.
Let us not despise or overlook the gift. Let us receive and be spellbound at the true and greatest mystery of Christmas.
Dr. Dan Darby is a retired United Methodist pastor.
