The Word

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 to be through him, and without him nothing came to be. What came to be through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race; the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

A man named John was sent from God. He came for testimony, to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the light but 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 to be through him, but the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, but his own people did not accept him.

But to those who did accept him he gave power to become children of God, to those who believe in his name, who were born not by natural generation nor by human choice nor by a man’s decision but of God.

And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father’s only Son, full of grace and truth. John testified to him and cried out, saying, “This was he of whom I said, ‘The one who is coming after me ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.’” From his fullness we have all received, grace in place of grace, because while the law was given through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. The only Son, God, who is at the Father’s side, has revealed him. (John 1:1-18)

Can I have a word with you?  Did each of us come for testimony, to testify to the light, so that all might believe in Jesus?  Jesus is the true light, which enlightens everyone, provided we reflect that light and not cloud it out.  Do we help Jesus – our Christ – come into the world?  Are we also the Word that became flesh through our births to be full of grace and truth?  We should be, and then act that way.

Today is Christmas Day when we celebrate the birth of Jesus.  At Christmas we tend to focus on the manger and the infant.  Parents look at their infants and wonder what life has in store for them.  Will they act like children of God – or will darkness overcome them?  Today we are full of hope that they – and us – will be full of that grace and truth so that God is being revealed through us.  

Merry Christmas!

Deacon David Pierce