"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God...The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us."  John 1:1, 14

One of the highlights of the Christmas holiday at our house is the two oldest boys coming home from college for a few weeks.  Though we talk to them often by way of email and cell phones, there is nothing like having them "here in the flesh." 

That is exactly how God felt when He came to earth in the form of a man, the God-Man, Jesus.  Though He had always communicated with His people, He knew that living in their world "in the flesh" would make all the difference.  And it did.  Following Christ's sacrificial death and resurrection, God then chose to remain on earth through the Person of the Holy Spirit, who takes up residence in each and every believer as they invite Him in.

Too often we Christians "settle" for knowing about God through the words and prayers of others.  In 2009, we pray that each one of you will experience Jesus in a very real way personally...every single day.  As John said in the verse above, Jesus is the Word.  When you spend time in God's Word, you are spending time with Jesus.  For 2009, and always, we pray that time spent with Him in this way will lead to the "Word becoming flesh"  in your daily lives.  The God of the universe is still in the business of revealing Himself and dwelling on earth with His people, why settle for anything less?

Let's pray.  Father, Son, and Holy Spirit we rejoice in the miracle of life with You!  Please remove the hindrances in our lives that keep us from experiencing all you have for us.  We look forward to getting to know You better in 2009 through Your Word, prayer, fellowship, and any call You have on our lives.  We love You and praise You.  In Jesus' Precious Name we pray.  Amen.