God’s Word Shows Up In A Manger

Text: John 1:1-14

In the name of Jesus. Amen. 

In confirmation class, we ask a question. It’s one of the basic questions. A foundational one. “How was the world and all things in it created?” And the answer is not, “The Big Bang.” It is not “Millions of years of evolutionary chance.” It is not, “Through natural selection.” No, the answer is quite simple. The answer is this: “Through and by the Spoken Word.” 

Yes—the world was created by the Spoken Word.

When we say that we and all things were created by the Word, we are saying something very important. We are saying that God’s Word is powerful. It does things. It works. It acts. God’s Word is not just information. It is not commentary. It is not God standing on the sidelines explaining what is happening. When God speaks, things happen.

And so, when God speaks, He is not merely describing how things are. Rather, when God speaks, He calls into existence new realities. That is right. When God spoke at the very beginning, His Word called creation into existence. This means that the world did not create itself. Something external had to act. Something outside of creation had to bring it into being. And that “something” is the spoken Word of God.

The Word spoke, and the world was created. And the Word spoke again—and the world was declared good.

Now, fast-forward several thousand years to John chapter 1—our Gospel reading for Christmas Day.

The Apostle John says that the Word became flesh. 

But what does that mean? 

Well, let’s not overthink it. The Word at creation is the Christ who came to save us by His life, death, and resurrection. That is right, the Word of Creation takes on flesh and acts as a man.

Let me repeat myself, to make sure we are hearing this clearly: the spoken Word that was in the beginning creating everything—that voice, that speech—it is the same Word, the same voice, that comes and puts on flesh in the man Jesus Christ. Indeed, the speech and voice of God put on flesh. God’s Word shows up in a manger.

Now don’t zone out. Don’t tell yourself this is too philosophical or too theological. This is not advanced material. This is Christianity 101. This is basic stuff that we teach to our confirmation students. This matters. Listen up. Pay attention.

When you read the words of God in creation, when you read the words of wisdom in Proverbs, when you hear God’s Word in the Old Testament—that Word, all of that Word, is the same voice that we will hear coming from the manger. That is to say; what was spoken eternally was spoken by Jesus. What was spoken at creation was spoken by Jesus. What was spoken in the Old Testament was spoken by Jesus.

And so, mark this: Jesus is not only the center of Scripture, but as God’s eternal Word, He is the author of all Scripture.

So what’s the point? The point is quite clear. The Word that created the world is the same Word that was laid in that manger – it is the same Word that we hear in the person of Jesus.

It is beginning to make sense – right?

Nature – the wind and the waves - listened to Jesus when He spoke because nature was listening to the same Word that created it.

It also makes sense why blindness, deafness, diseases, death, and demons listened to Jesus. They were listening to the One who created the whole cosmos.

But let’s drive this home further. Why does this matter to you and me right now at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church? 

So far, this might sound like an interesting theological lesson. But dear friends, it matters because of what Jesus says about forgiveness.

Remember the cross. I know—we’re getting a bit ahead of ourselves. It’s Christmas Day. The manger is still right there. But we cannot separate the manger from the cross.

If the Babe lying in the manger is the Word who put on flesh—and He is—then that same Word in the flesh goes to the cross to die for sin. And what does He say at the cross? He says, 

“It is finished.”

Think about that. The Word that created the world said from the cross, 

“It is finished.” 

The Word that spoke authority over nature, disease, death, and demons said,  

“It is finished.”

What is finished? All of it. Sin. Death. God’s wrath. All of it. Finished. For you! 

And because this is the Word who always does what He says, that Word can be trusted. When the Word in the flesh speaks from the cross, it is done.

Oh, but let’s not stop there. Let’s press this a bit further.  

Listen up: that Word who put on flesh has called His Church to speak the same Word. Yes, the Word that spoke creation into existence and the Word that spoke forgiveness from the cross now speaks through the means of His Church.

That is to say, right here—in this church—we have the same effective, powerful, bullet Word that does stuff.

And how has Jesus told His Church to speak His Word?

He has told His Church to preach His Word of Law, so that your sin would be exposed and you would be convicted. And He has told His Church to preach His Word of the Gospel, so that you might hear the good news and faith would be created. 

He has told His Church to baptize in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, for the forgiveness of sins. He has attached His Word to ordinary water so that through the water and the Word, you would be marked as one redeemed by Christ the Crucified.

He has told pastors to speak the words of absolution to the sorrowful.  He has put His Word on the lips of frail and ordinary pastors: 

“In the stead and by the command of my Lord Jesus Christ, I forgive you all your sins.”

He has told His Church to administer the Holy Supper – attaching His Word to simple Bread and Wine: 

Take, eat; this is my body which is for you.

Take, drink; this cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you for the forgiveness of sins.

Please hear this. The same Word that was present at creation, the same Word that lay in the manger, the same Word that hung from the cross, the same Word that is seated at the right hand of the Father—that same Word is present here in this sanctuary before you.

That same Word is present in the Scriptures that are read - for you. 

That same Word is present in the water at this font - for you. 

That same Word is present in the words of absolution - for you. 

That same Word is present in the bread and wine at this altar – for you. 

The Word is still present with His Church in His Holy Scriptures and His Holy Sacraments – for you.

And so, be of good cheer, dear Baptized Saints, the Word has not left us at St. Paul’s Lutheran. We have the Word. And the Word of God is the power of salvation—for this Church and for each Christian here today.

Merry Christmas. The Word put on flesh and blood for you.

In the name of Jesus: Amen.