January 2nd - Reflection

Second Sunday of Christmas
John 1:1-18 (NRSV)
God with us

( In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. )

He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.

And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father's only son, full of grace and truth. (John testified to him and cried out, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me.'") From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father's heart, who has made him known.

Reflection
As we wander through this dark world, with our baptismal candles lit by the Light of Christ, we follow in his way. The Author of this world has come to us in Light. The Author of life gives us life. This life is not from flesh and blood but is of the grace Jesus has provided for us. Grace upon grace permits us the chance to believe in Jesus and be children of God. So now we are God's children not by blood alone but also by his love for us and our love for God.

Open up your life to the Light of God. Receive Jesus as he comes to you. And the Lord of Light and the Author of Life will become your all. Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, shine your Light on me, in me and through me that I may love as you have loved. Use me as your messenger in this world. May your Light bring life to me and to all. --- Amen