A Christmas Meditation on John 15

Jesus not only became one of us - he has also united himself to his people so that his life and nature become ours. He gives himself to us as our abiding place, and there we give ourselves to him and to each other, in love. We have our being and our iedentity in him. He gives us life and causes us to bear fruit. Our abiding is thus at once active and restful.

In him we also are targets of trouble. The Incarnation plunged Jesus into our troubles, and now we share his. The world hates and resists him, and therefore us. And all of this is at times painful and troublesome. But it is all in the hands of a loving Father, our vine-dresser, who only allows such adversity as will cause us to bear more fruit.

Look around you. The people around you also are targets of trouble. Some are in great pain, even if they do not show it. Love them. Be gentle and thoughtful. Listen very carefully with your ears and heart. Let them see their Savior's love in you.

Here we see Christ, who for us and for our salvation became flesh, that we might be joined everlastingly to him, our Vine. Thus we partake of his nature, which is love, and bear its fruit, which is also love. Thus we are greatly beloved of God - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Amen.