The Word Became Flesh
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. All things were created through him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. That light shines in the darkness, and yet the darkness did not overcome it. The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was created through him, and yet the world did not recognize him. But to all who did receive him, he gave them the right to be children of God, to those who believe in his name, who were born, not of natural descent, or of the will of the flesh, or of the will of man, but of God. The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. We observed his glory, the glory as the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
John 1:1, 3-5, 9-10, 12-14
At some point in my travels around my dad’s death my wife Lydia sent me the song “Gloria, Gloria” by Jess Ray. That along with Jenny and Tyler’s “Handel’s Messiah” were on repeat for hours and hours of driving and grieving (I live six hours from my parents). I think the incarnation of Christ is one of the most comforting truths of Christianity. Christ is not only creator and the light of the world, he did not remain aloof from human experience and misery, but he entered into it and joined in our suffering. As I watch these sunrises I am in awe of my creator’s love which prompted him to put on human flesh, human experience, to dwell among us, and to suffer and die before he rose again, ascended to heaven, and is seated by the right hand of the Father. And guess what. He remains our sympathetic high priest who intercedes for us.
Gloria, Gloria by Jess Ray, Langdon
We’ve done another trip around the sun
How we wish it would have been a better one
Here we are painfully aware that it’s hard to hope
Easy to despair
As this year closes
We begin again
Here is something to take comfort in
Gloria, Gloria God has come to understand us
Were you forgotten? Were you betrayed? Are you alone?
He knows the ache
Have you been waiting?
Tired and confused
Havе you lost someone?
He weeps with you
Is your hеart crushed?
Then he is near
Enough to share every tear
Gloria, Gloria God has come to understand us
Gloria, Gloria God has come to understand us
It's ok if you need to admit
That this season lost some of its magic
It reminds you of all your hurt and loss
And how you′re cryin′ out for kingdom come
No need to smile, no need to sing
Be still and think of this one thing...
Gloria, gloria, God has come to understand us
Gloria, gloria, God has come to understand us
Gloria, gloria, God has come to understand us
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If anyone is reading this then I would encourage you to explore these two songs. You will see why I cannot read the lyrics or listen to them without tears.