My go to phrase for Christmas is “Bah Humbug!” Yes, I am Scrooge, or as my granddaughters prefer, “the Grinch.”

That’s not a very good attitude for one who professes Christian faith, one who served for more than four decades as a local church pastor. Quite simply, “it don’t preach.”

But there it is. I’m having a hard time finding Christmas this year. The tree is lovely, the carols beautiful, but that inner sense of peace and joy is evasive.

Searching for Christmas leads me to the Gospel According to John, specifically the Prologue, John 1:1-18. Gail R. O’Day writing in the New Interpreter’s Study Bible states:

“For the Gospel of John, the beginning is not a particular event in time like Jesus’ birth (as in Matthew and Luke) or the start of Jesus’ ministry (as in Mark). Instead, the beginning is outside the normal calculations of time, in the cosmic pre-existence of the Word with God. This beginning focuses the reader’s attention immediately on the meaning of what follows—the Gospel story is about the very character of God and how God makes Godself known to the world through the life and death of Jesus.” (Emphasis added)

Aha! There it is. The birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus shows us more clearly than any other revelation the very heart of God. “No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father’s heart, who has made him known.” John 1:18 (Emphasis added)

To find meaning in what for many people is solely a secular holiday, one needs to look at the life of Jesus for in that life we find the very nature of God. In the life of Jesus, we find not only the proclamation of justice (Luke 4:18-30), but one who practices justice in welcoming everyone, regardless of ethnic, economic, or social status, to join the community of faith that he is building. This is a community like no other. This community is recognized by the love that the members show to one another. Love is not merely a word but is lived out in service toward one another.

The thirteenth chapter of John’s Gospel describes the “Word made flesh” performing the most demeaning of all tasks, washing dirty feet. Having taken upon himself that most humbling task, Jesus then commands those who follow him to live his example. John 13:1-20

In this example we see the heart of God on vivid display. No act of service is too demeaning, no expression of love is too much. Witness the cross.

Because “the Word became flesh and lived among us” we glimpse the heart of God. And in that view of God’s heart, we can face the grim realities of life as we know it. Everything changed because “the Word became flesh.”

The Message paraphrases John 1:14 this way, “The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood.”

Now, just sit with that for a few minutes. . .

When a new family moves into the neighborhood, we are anxious to see what kind of folks are moving into our space. Will they be friendly? Will we be friends, or will they be unfriendly and stick to themselves?

God’s Son moved into the messy, grimy, sin-entrenched neighborhood of humanity with one purpose, to show us the very nature of God. Because he is the very heart of God, no act of compassion was too great.

Because “the Word became flesh” we can internalize and live into the message of the angelic chorus “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!” Luke 2:14 (Emphasis added)

Because “the Word became flesh” we know and believe that the favor of God rests upon us. Life is often hard, painful, and deeply challenging. Family and friends may fail us. The dream job doesn’t materialize, or our source of income is suddenly taken away. Health concerns threaten our mortality. Family or dear friends are taken by death and the pain is devastating.

BUT “the Word became flesh.” And you and I are safe in the loving arms of God’s Son. Nothing in all creation can separate us from the love of God (Romans 8:38-39).

Now, understand. I’m still a Grinch.

But “the Word became flesh” and I know for certain. . . God loves Grinches.