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The Word Made Flesh

December 22, 2021

One of the problems with Christmas is we think meaningfulness comes easily. You go to a Christmas service or even a Christmas party, and a couple of people say a couple of words. You come and you sing Christmas carols with sort of dreamy and happy faces. That’s good, because we’re immediately connecting Christmas to family, reunions, gifts, time off from work, and things like that. We settle for too little though, because the meaning of Christmas is inexhaustible. It’s filled with theologically powerful, life-changing truths.

Our passage from John 1 today helps us understand the meaning of the events around Christmas. We’re going to simply meditate on three aspects of the most pregnant part of this famous passage, verse 14: 1) Jesus is the Word of God; 2) Jesus is our counselor; and 3) the real becomes ideal.

This sermon was preached by Dr. Timothy Keller at Redeemer Presbyterian Church on December 13, 2009. Series: Christmas 2009. Scripture: John 1:1-14.

Today's podcast is brought to you by Gospel in Life, the site for all sermons, books, study guides and resources from Timothy Keller and Redeemer Presbyterian Church. If you've enjoyed listening to this podcast and would like to support the ongoing efforts of this ministry, you can do so by visiting https://gospelinlife.com/give and making a one-time or recurring donation.

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Strengthen Your Devotional Time

Have you struggled to experience a meaningful devotional life? Tim and Kathy Keller’s 365-devotional book, "The Songs of Jesus", is a great way to establish a daily rhythm of meditating on God’s word by reading through passages from the book of Psalms. Even if you already spend time every day reading God’s word, "The Songs of Jesus" can help you grow to a new level of intimacy with God. This devotional book is our thanks for your gift this month to support the ministry of Gospel in Life.

About Gospel in Life

Gospel In Life is a ministry that features sermons, books, articles, and resources from Timothy Keller, Redeemer Presbyterian Church, and Redeemer City to City. The name reflects our conviction that the gospel changes everything in life. In 1989 Dr. Timothy J. Keller, his wife and three young sons moved to New York City to begin Redeemer Presbyterian Church. He has since become a bestselling author, an influential thinker, and an advocate for ministry in cities and to secular people.

About Tim Keller

Timothy Keller is the founding pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Manhattan, which he started in 1989 with his wife, Kathy, and three young sons.  For 28 years he led a diverse congregation of young professionals that grew to a weekly attendance of over 5,000.

He is also the Chairman & Co-Founder of Redeemer City to City (CTC), which starts new churches in New York and other global cities, and publishes books and resources for ministry in an urban environment. In 2017 Dr. Keller transitioned to CTC full time to teach and mentor church planters and seminary students through a joint venture with Reformed Theological Seminary's (RTS), the City Ministry Program. He also works with CTC's global affiliates to launch church planting movements.

Dr. Keller’s books, including the New York Times bestselling The Reason for God and The Prodigal God, have sold over 2 million copies and been translated into 25 languages.

Christianity Today has said, “Fifty years from now, if evangelical Christians are widely known for their love of cities, their commitment to mercy and justice, and their love of their neighbors, Tim Keller will be remembered as a pioneer of the new urban Christians.”

Dr. Keller was born and raised in Pennsylvania, and educated at Bucknell University, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and Westminster Theological Seminary. He previously served as the pastor of West Hopewell Presbyterian Church in Hopewell, Virginia, Associate Professor of Practical Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary, and Director of Mercy Ministries for the Presbyterian Church in America.

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