Full of Grace and Truth

The only Son from the Father - full of grace and truth. There are many things that John could have mentioned the Son coming in the fullness of - full of justice, full of righteousness, full of holiness. After all, he possesses every perfection. "A faithful God who does no wrong; upright and just is he." (Deut 32:4) And yet John chooses to highlight that he comes full of grace. And not only is HE full of grace, but in him, WE have recieved grace upon grace from his fullness! What does it mean that he is full of grace? And that we have received grace upon grace? 

John is going to expound on this even more in chapter 3. God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world but that the world through him might be saved! This echoes Paul's gospel proclamation in Romans 8 - There is now no condemnation for those in Christ. What the law could not do - God did. As you contemplate the beuatiful mystery of the Incarnation this Christmas season, do not forget that the Word who took on flesh is full of grace and truth! He isn't just gracious; he possesses every perfection of grace. So that you might receive from his fullness!