Have you ever thought about what it means for us that Jesus had a body?
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us…John 1:14
Lord Jesus,
As we celebrate your incarnation,
which literally means “enfleshing,”
may we not miss the wonder
that you became a human body.
May we see the beauty of the bodies
our Creator God formed for each of us to inhabit,
and may we thank God for this precious gift.
May we see how the fall broke our bodies,
making us know shame
in our minds, spirits, and bodies (Genesis 3:1-8).
May we marvel at the truth
you “took on a human body
to reclaim us bodily
for fellowship with God the Father”*
and because you did,
“our bodies once again become
what they were meant to be.”*
In union with you,
our bodies share in your holiness
as we become the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19).
In union with you,
we “share in God’s hidden glory
and display it by word and deed
to the world.” *
Throughout this season,
every time we think of the incarnation,
may we rejoice in the hope
of the full redemption of our bodies
we will experience when you return (Romans 8:23).
Amen.
Read John 1:14-18; Genesis 3:1-8; Romans 8:23.
*Quotes from John W. Kleinig, Fearfully Made: A Protestant Theology of the Body
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