“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him was not anything made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” – John 1:1-5

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” – John 1;14

“He is the image of the invisible God, the first born of all creation. For by Him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities – all things were were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. And He is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything He might be preeminent. For in Him all the fulness of God was pleased to dwell, and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of His cross.” – Colossians 1:15-20

Yes, Jesus showed up according to plan! The New Testament starts with the God of the Universe revealing Himself to us in our language…on our level…wrapped in the flesh. I have often described this as God’s “TA-DA” moment. “Here I am!” The Gospel of John uses the phrase, “In the beginning” to take us back to where it all started and remind us that this was always in the works. This was not Plan B. It was not a re-boot. Jesus was and is and will be the promised Messiah. He is the PLAN! He said, “I am The Way and The Truth and The Life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6). Luke reminds us of the words of Peter to the Council,

“This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” – Acts 4:11, 12

Jesus is the One that the Law and the Prophets of the Old Testament were pointing too! There is no doubt or debate. He fulfilled every prophesy made about the Messiah and the circumstances of His coming. Again, the Bible is not trying to prove who Jesus is. This was obvious even to the enemies of Jesus. When a Pharisee named Nicodemus talked with Jesus he said, “we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him. Jesus answered him, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.'” (John 3:2,3). This is more than knowing information about Jesus, this is knowing Jesus personally.

So, in a way, Christmas is the beginning of Easter and Easter is the big finish of Christmas! God revealed Himself clearly to us not by coming in the flesh and, also, “demonstrated His love for us “in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). The Bible reveals to us that God keeps His promises and that God SHOWS UP! The New Testament is the fulfillment of the Old Testament. Same God. Same story. God has always loved us and always sought a relationship with us. The message has not changed…it has just become clearer!