In 1961 Yuri Gagarin, the first Russian cosmonaut, had just returned from being the first human to journey into outer space. Upon his return, they held a news conference and Yuri made this statement: “I looked and looked but I didn't see God.” He thus staunchly affirmed his atheistic perspective, stating that his experience in the cosmos comfirmed this belief. At the same time in history, C.S. Lewis was still alive and had learned about Yuri’s comments. Taken aback by his declaration, Lewis countered it with an essay titled “The Seeing Eye.” In it, he said, “You wouldn’t relate to God the way a person on the first floor relates to a person on the second floor. For you don’t find God by going higher up in your own space.” Lewis goes on to say, “If God is our Creator, then we would relate to God as Hamlet would relate to Shakespeare. Now, how would Hamlet ever know anything about Shakespeare? Hamlet’s not going to find him anywhere on stage. The only way he’s ever going to meet him is if Shakespeare writes himself into the play.”

How would Hamlet ever come to really know and understand Shakespeare, unless he wrote himself into the play? God wrote himself into our play.

So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son. John 1:14

Not only did God the father send his only son into our experience, but also he became human and made his home among us. Christ came into our world, to bring us home, to himself. What amazing love and humility. He entered our play, and the writer is always greater than the page. The word became flesh, and he continues to bring himself into your daily life and experience and reveal himself. Look for him this season, afresh and anew.