advent 3, to touch His word, His flesh

The Incarnation of the Word of Life
1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes,which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. 2 The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life,which was with the Father and has appeared to us. 3 We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard,so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. 4 We write this to make our joy complete. 1 John 1: 1-4

A woman I work with believes that where a tattoo is on a body clearly indicates the possessors’s age. Millenniums favour the leg and ankle area; baby boomers arms, and especially for men, chests. People desire to see words on flesh; they desire to have their words touch, join, become part of their flesh. Their desire is for the eternal; for words that will last beyond flesh. 

Advent is, as John tells us in his letters and gospel, when we reflect on God’s word becoming flesh. John tells us that his ‘eyes have seen… and our hands touch’ the Saviour. 

Jesus was sent in the flesh; a metaphorical tattoo for all to see, read and possibly to wear on our hearts and minds. We see and holdin our mind’s eye a baby; and a child in a temple; a teacher, a healer and on across, our Saviour. His life story is the words we internally wear and live for. John can’t stop feeling Jesus in his eyes, his hands and his heart. Why?

Because Jesus takes on flesh in the end to cover our sins. He comes to express in words the Father’s, the Spirit’s and His love for us.  He weeps at Lazarus’ death because He loved His friend so; and then Jesus’ words calls Lazarus forth; He touches the Samaritan woman at the well by sitting and speaking with her; He speaks words that heal, instruct, direct and encourage. His words are loving touches for us. They are joys. He is the word made flesh; a flesh to speak.

This season share His life; His words; a part of His touch, with another. You will make joy on, and into your world as you do.