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b'This time of year, many people set out nativity scenes that depict baby\\nJesus in the manger to remind us of our Savior\\u2019s humble birth. My family\\u2019s\\nnativity set was made of sturdy wooden pieces so the kids could touch the\\nfigures and play with them. Even children can understand something of the\\nbeauty and wonder of Jesus Christ\\u2019s birth (Matthew 11:25-26). But even\\nthough He was born in Bethlehem, today\\u2019s reading reminds us that Jesus, who\\nis God the Son, has always existed. In fact, we owe all life to Him!\\n.\\nIn the beginning of John\\u2019s Gospel (his account of the good news), John uses\\nthe term \\u201cthe Word\\u201d to refer to Jesus. Jesus has always been with God (John\\n1:2). And Jesus has always been God; all things that are in existence were\\ncreated through Him (verses 1, 3). He became flesh\\u2014a human being\\u2014and lived\\namong us (verse 14). But even as Jesus came to His creation, the world and\\nthe people tainted by sin no longer recognized Him (verses 10-11).\\n.\\nIn this short introduction to his Gospel account, John reminds us of why\\nJesus was willing to come to earth as a human being, and even be rejected\\nby the people He created and loved. Verse 12 says, \\u201cYet to all who did\\nreceive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become\\nchildren of God.\\u201d This is the main point of the Christmas story\\u2014the main\\npoint of the gospel! Jesus came into the world to save sinners. He would\\ndie for their sins on the cross, and He would be raised again to give\\neternal life to all those who believe in Him. Jesus wasn\\u2019t just a baby in a\\nmanger; He is the Creator of the universe and the Ruler of all things, and\\nHe is the Savior we all need! \\u2022 Laura N. Sweet\\n.\\n\\u2022 Read Hebrews 1:1-3. Why do you think John called Jesus the Word? \\n.\\n\\u2022 Jesus is both fully God and fully human. Why is it important for us to\\nremember that Jesus is the eternal, glorious Son of God, especially at\\nChristmas time? \\n.\\n\\u2022 If someone asked you about the main point of the Christmas story, what\\ncould you tell them?\\n.\\nThe Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. John 1:14a (NIV)\\n\\xa0\\nRead Verses:\\nLuke.2.4-Luke.2.7|John.1.1-John.1.14'