Denver Seminary

8 December 3 "The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." – John 1:14 When god Moves into the neighborhood Of all the ways to describe the coming of Jesus, one of the most profound is John 1:14, translated by the Message, "The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neigh- borhood." After describing that the Word, Jesus, was with God, and was God, John empha- sizes the way in which He came into the world. Israel had experienced God's presence in the past, but this was different. Now, God was no longer only accessible on the rarest of occasions by a select few people. God was in the neighborhood. When God moves into the neighborhood, we see him face to face, which is different from a world where physical presence is rarely required. Instead of face-to-face conversations, we can call or e-mail. Instead of going to visit loved ones, we can keep up with them on social media. Even at Denver Seminary, someone could complete an entire degree without setting foot on campus. Because this is our reality, we should not overlook this truth of Christ moving into the neighborhood. Christ does not e-mail us instructions, but is born as an infant, experiencing all of life. God moving into the neighborhood teaches us how life was meant to be lived. My grandpa taught me many things, but there would usually come a point where instructions weren't enough, and he would have me watch him so I could follow his lead. As helpful as instruc- tions are, it is more beneficial to have an example. It's easier to follow someone leading the way instead of someone behind you telling you where to go. That is what we see at the incarnation; not lessons shouted from heaven, but coming here, sympathizing with our weaknesses (Hebrews 4:14-16), so that He might redeem every part of us. Not only did God move into our neighborhood, He made it possible for us to move into His neighborhood. As Charles Wesley penned in "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing," Christ is "Born that men no more may die." Christmas should cause us to pause and consider that Christ came into the world so we might have life. By setting aside His glory, He has made it possible for us to have life to the full (John 10:10). As we anticipate the coming of Christ, may we not only remember His birth, but His dwelling among us, so that we might be able to dwell with God. Monte French Current student, mAster of Arts (new testAment)

• Cover