From His Fullness

The Incarnation of Jesus reveals the most fundamental parts of God’s nature, heart for his people, and salvation plan for the world. It is light out of darkness, it is grace out of sin and pain. And it all comes from the fullness of God. From his fullness. Fullness is both the source and the goal.

We live our days by a metric of scarcity, of grasping. We are quick to claim and hoard. We too often operate under the framework of “I’ll get mine, then you can have yours” or maybe even more accurate, “I’ll get mine at the expense of yours.” But even at the foundations of the earth, the grace upon grace nature of God is revealed to us from his fullness. Fuller, deeper, truer than we could even imagine. And yes, Advent, just like so many other moments in the life of faith, points us toward our deep neediness.

We need Christ’s coming. Both then in the incarnation and again someday in the fullness of time. But in our neediness we draw from the fullness. Cups run over. Boundary lines fall in pleasant places. Thousands are fed. Nets are bursting at the seams. And one day the leaves of the tree will be for the healing of the nations. Finally and fully.

So we look to the light, Jesus. God with us. From his fullness we have all received grace upon grace.

As you go through the season, this journal is split into 4 sections, one for each week. Engage with each week as you see fit. There is a newly composed essay, scripture to study, a poem or prayer, and visual art to contemplate. Peace to you this Advent.

– Jonathan Gabhart