John 1:1-14 

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.

 

            from Rev. Dr. William B. Allen, Regional Minister Emeritus

            The Gospel according to St. John, as we have come to expect, regularly casts a surprising light on familiar events.  This is true of the nativity as with so many things.  Here we have no angels, shepherds, magi, stable nor any of the familiar elements of the Christmas story.  But, we do have a powerful statement of God’s entry into history and our own lives.  This, after all, is what the birth of Jesus is all about.

            John informs us that baby Jesus is not just a baby, but is also the pre-existent Word of God – “God from God, Light from Light…” as the ancient creeds have it.  He comes with power, bringing life to the world and life to us!  The darkness recedes before the presence of the Word of God.

            This advent of life and light is good news because it comes to us, to you and me, in the presence of the Word whom we know is Jesus Christ – Bethlehem’s babe and the creative Logos of God.  This Christ comes to us in whatever circumstance we find ourselves and brings life and light, even when we thought we were mired in decay and darkness.

 

We celebrate the coming of your Word who brings light to our darkness

and life to our world..  Praise to you, O God!  Alleluia!