December 25th - Reflection

Nativity of Our Lord
John 1:1-14 (NRSV)
The Word became flesh
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.


Reflection
The Word...the Word through which all was created. The Word becomes flesh. Look! It is Jesus our Savior!

God created through the Word.

This is unique!

Look at Genesis and John. The creation of Genesis. Then ponder the thought John puts forth that the Word already existed. John refers to the Word in the past tense. The Word was with God and the Word was God. The Word is a noun! The Word is the source of life. Life through the Word that I and you may receive.

How life depends on light. This Light comes from the Word. A Light which I need to live. Not to live just in human form on this earth, but a Light that permits me to live spiritually. This Light overcomes the darkness that exists in and around me.

John the Baptist was sent to testify to the Light. John witnessed the Light and told all about this Light. We are all called to testify to the Light which is Jesus. We are all called to by lead by faith and to lead to faith those God gives to us each day and those we may not know that God gave to others.

All light comes through the One True Light being Jesus. This Light, being Jesus comes to all and each of us. The Light of Jesus shines on all people. If we receive this Light we become children of God. This Light that has come from God and in Jesus comes into each who receive the Light.

A Light that is beyond what we can imagine in the natural world has come into our being.

And the Word became flesh! The Word that shed it's Light is Jesus! God has become flesh and is with us! The Word...the Light...in flesh and obvious for all of humankind to see! We have beheld the Light!

Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, you are so mysterious, so profound, so close and so near that you come to me this day. Come as Word... come as Light... come as flesh... come to dwell with me and with all. I have seen the Light and behold... you are glorious... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen