Our scripture this week is John 1:1-14, taken today from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV). [my apologies, apparently I slipped back to last week’s reading yesterday, this is the correct gospel passage for this week]
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.
We hear many descriptions and titles for Jesus during the season of Advent. The prophet Isaiah calls Him “Wonderful Counselor, the Mighty God, the Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). We hear from the angel’s testimony to Joseph “He will be called Emmanuel, God with us” (Matthew 1:23). Here in John 1 we find the beautiful description “the true light” (v. 9).
Jesus came to be light and truth in a dark and deceitful world. He showed us the way to live in obedience to God and to care for one another. Through His love we can be saved and share that promise with all the world.
The psalmist sings “Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path” (Psalm 119:106). Jesus is the Word and the Light, teaching and leading us in the way of life. He brings us the gift of salvation, given to all who will accept it and follow Him.
Gracious God, we are grateful for Your many gifts, none more important than our savior, Jesus Christ. We rejoice in His coming, and go to share the Good News with the world. Amen.