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This week we have been memorizing John 1:14 which says, “And the word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as the only son from the father, full of grace and truth.”

John, who wrote this verse, saw Jesus with his own eyes and is helping others understand who He is and what He has done for us! This is a great verse to memorize and today we are going to work on memorizing it by removing words. This activity will be similar to the BINGO game because we will remove words and clap. However, instead of clapping, Someone else from your family will fill in what the next word is.

So before we start let’s say the verse all together, “And the word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as the only son from the father, full of grace and truth.” 

Awesome! Now choose one person in your family to say the verse, pausing every few words. Have them do it again and again, but pausing more frequently to allow space for others to fill in the blank with the correct word.

Keep playing together as a family! If you have siblings, take turns leading and allow others to help if you get stuck. Kids, make sure you challenge your parents too!

Keep practicing and being reminded to SEE what God is doing today!

“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 1:14

The beginning of the book of John talks about how there was the presence of God that was with the people in the Old Testament. But now Jesus, who is also God, came and He was in the flesh. God in human form came near to His people. He came to show us how to be human, how to relate to each other, how to love and serve those we agree with and even those we disagree with.. God loves us so much that He stepped down from His glory in heaven to be with us in the chaos of this world. He is a God who loves and cares for His people. 

Many people find it hard to follow Jesus because they think that He can't relate to the situations that they are facing day to day. Jesus came to live a life that many of us actually live on a day to day basis. Jesus had a job, He had friends, He had to go to school, He was tired at times, and there was even drama that He had to deal with because His disciples were all different people. Jesus has gone through what many of us go through and that should bring us peace and comfort. You are not alone, Jesus has come down to live a life that you are living today because He loves and desires you. 

How does it make you feel to know Jesus lived a life that many of us live? Why does it matter that Jesus came in the flesh?

What ways do you think your life here is different than the life Jesus lived?

Pray this simple prayer- “Jesus I thank You that You came down to earth to live a perfect life. Thank You for going through some of what I am going through today. Help me remember that I am a child of Yours. I love You Jesus”

"Would you prepare us for the kind of life that has come with Your incarnation?"

John 1:14 (ESV) 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.

The incarnation of Christ is not just a historical event we commemorate each year. It's a reality that continues to reshape our understanding of life itself. When God became flesh and dwelt among us, He didn't just visit for a while and leave things as they were. He came to inaugurate a new kind of life – abundant life – and to invite us into it. But what does this life look like? And how do we prepare for it? The life that comes with Christ's incarnation is paradoxical. It's a life of profound peace amidst turmoil, of strength found in vulnerability, of victory achieved through sacrifice. It's a life where the first become last and the last become first, where losing one's life is the way to find it. This life is characterized by love that extends beyond our comfort zones, by forgiveness that defies human logic, by hope that persists in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds. It's a life of purpose that transcends mere existence, of joy that runs deeper than fleeting happiness. Preparing for this life involves embracing humility, just as Christ humbled Himself to become human, while acknowledging our dependence on God and our interconnectedness with others. We're called to cultivate compassion, developing hearts that break for what breaks God's heart, mirroring the God who was moved with compassion for humanity. 

Practicing presence becomes crucial in a world of constant distraction, as we're invited to be fully present with God and those around us. Pursuing justice is integral, actively working to right wrongs and lift up the oppressed in our spheres of influence. We're challenged to live with an eternal perspective, which transforms our view of struggles, possessions, and purpose. Embracing community becomes essential, as Christ's incarnation emphasizes the importance of human relationships. Finally, cultivating gratitude allows us to recognize the immense gift of the incarnation, leading us to see all of life as a gift from God.

As we journey through Advent, let's not just prepare our homes for Christmas celebrations or our churches for special gatherings. Let's prepare our hearts and lives for the ongoing reality of life with the incarnate Christ. This preparation is not about achieving perfection but opening ourselves to transformation. Remember, the One who calls us to this life is also the One who empowers us to live it. We don't prepare in our own strength, but in reliance on the grace and strength that Christ provides. This Advent, may we echo Mary's words of surrender: "Let it be to me according to your word" (Luke 1:38). May we open ourselves fully to the kind of life that has come with Christ's incarnation – a life of love, purpose, and unshakeable hope.

Take a moment to reread today’s Scripture passage and then spend some time reflecting on the following questions:

John 1:14 (ESV) 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.

• Which aspect of the "life that has come with His incarnation" challenges you the most? How might embracing this new kind of life change your daily interactions and decisions this Advent season?