“The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. We observed His glory…” — John 1:14
The extraordinary entrance of God into the world did not happen in a palace, a temple, or a throne room.
It happened in a small town, to unnoticed parents, in a borrowed stable.
Advent teaches us that the glory of God is not confined to spectacular moments. More often, it is tucked into places we pass by without recognition.
The routines we’ve grown numb to.
The conversations we almost dismiss.
The responsibilities that feel repetitive.
The people we overlook.
God’s glory is not too delicate for the ordinary. It does not demand an impressive stage. It willingly descends into the everyday — and transforms it.
The incarnation is God placing His glory inside the unremarkable, showing us that no moment is too small and no corner of our lives is too humble for the presence of Christ.
If God chose a manger, He can choose your kitchen, your commute, your mundane tasks, your Tuesday afternoon.
“Listen to your life. See it for the fathomless mystery it is… because in the last analysis all moments are key moments, and life itself is grace.” — Frederick Buechner, Now and Then
The question of Advent is not: “Will God show up?” It is: “Will we open our eyes to the glory already present?”
Reflection: Where might God’s glory be hiding in the ordinary places of your life today?
Prayer: Lord, open my eyes to Your presence in the places I overlook. Teach me to see Your glory in my ordinary routines, my everyday responsibilities, and the quiet moments of my life. Let nothing be too small for Your grace to fill. Help me live today with wonder, trusting that You are near in every place I stand. Amen.
When God Came Near 