The Word Became Flesh

​As I slowly prepare our house for Christmas and my heart for Christ’s Second Coming, I keep circling back to the words of John 1:14.

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us

God, in his awesomeness decided that we were worth saving and he stooped so low as to become a baby.  A flesh and blood infant, a helpless child whose only communications are whimpers and cries.  I have had six babies so far and can definitively say that they can do nothing for themselves.  They can’t feed themselves or clothe themselves or even wipe their own heineys.  The Almighty God chose this.  I can’t even fathom the love and trust that would compel Father, Son and Holy Spirit to do that.  Adam and Eve couldn’t even be trusted with a piece of fruit! 
 
Inevitably I think of the Blessed Mother after the Incarnation, how she felt and what she was pondering.  What an awesome responsibility to know you are raising the Savior and what an incredible gift to be chosen out of every single woman who was, is and yet to be born.  Through her “yes” the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.
 
Today is the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe.  I love that we get to celebrate her appearance to Juan Diego during Advent.  I have a deep devotion to the Blessed Mother and the image she left on a humble little tilma is my favorite of her.  There are many reasons I love it so much, but one special distinction is that she appears pregnant in the image.  The Word Incarnate, the Blessed Fruit of her womb has taken on flesh.
 
In a special way I think this image asks us to allow the Word become flesh in us.  Each one of us are asked to make His love manifest in our lives, to bear fruit.  And one of the best ways to do that is to read Scripture.  If we can be faithful to reading his Word we can better understand His great love for us and in return love him more.  Great fruit will be born in our lives if we make a habit of reading His Word, but even   greater graces will flow into the lives of others from our faithfulness.  Mary’s motherhood was certainly a gift of crowning glory for her, but more importantly it was a gift for humanity. 
 
Like the Blessed Mother, let us ponder his Word and let it bear great fruit for the kingdom.
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