ICEL What Child is this? John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. 9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.

ICEL What Child is this? 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

ICEL What Child is this? 14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. 16 Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.

ICEL What Child is this? What child is this, who, laid to rest, On Mary's lap is sleeping? Whom angels greet with anthems sweet, While shepherds watch are keeping? This, this is Christ the King, [the Messiah] Whom shepherds guard and angels sing: Haste, haste to bring Him laud, [praise] The babe, the son of Mary.

ICEL What Child is this?

ICEL What Child is this? Why lies He in such mean estate, Where ox and donkeys are feeding? [In a manger, feed trough] Good Christians, fear, for sinners here The silent Word is pleading. [Jesus, the baby, the Word] Nails, spears shall pierce him through, the cross he bore for me, for you. Hail, hail the Word made flesh, [God become man] the Babe, the Son of Mary.

ICEL What Child is this? 1. God, the Creator, the Life-giver 2. The Light bringer, bringer of truth 3. The Face of God, the Glory of God, full of grace and truth

ICEL What Child is this? 1. God the Creator, the Life giver a. He was/ is the Word i. Logos - the agent of creation; ii. by him all things were made which were made b. He was with God in the beginning (He is before time, eternal) c. He was God (He is one with God).

ICEL What Child is this? 2. The Light bringer, bringer of truth a. He comes to drive out darkness (sin, ignorance) b. He could not be overcome by darkness (the devil) c. He came to enlighten Israel (his people), but was rejected by them (though he had created them)

ICEL What Child is this? 3. The Face of God, the Glory of God full of grace and truth a. He who has seen me has seen the Father. Jn 14:9 (Shekinah, Glory in Temple) b. Others witnessed to him: i. John the Baptist - The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world; Jn 1:29 ii. Peter, James & John - The Transfiguration Matthew 17:1-8

ICEL What Child is this? 3. The Face of God, the Glory of God; full of grace and truth c. In His teaching they heard truth and in His death they found grace Not merely truth (judgment - like the Law), but grace (forgiveness & reconciliation) Not merely truth (judgment - like the Law), but grace (forgiveness & reconciliation)

ICEL What Child is this? Jesus said: I am the way, the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father except through me. Jn 14:6 Jesus created us and all that is: He is the creator Jesus gives all things physical life: He is God Jesus gives spiritual life to all who ask: He is Life giver Jesus taught truth: truth about God, us, sin and salvation Jesus took our punishment for sin: He died for us Jesus showed us the face of God: his Glory & his Grace

ICEL What Child is this? Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God Jn 1:12