Monday, December 23, 2002

In the beginning was the Word... John 1:1-18

The Christmas story is a telling beyond expression and a hearing beyond comprehension. The gospel writers grope for a way to tell us about the activity of God in the birth of the Baby. Matthew does it through dreams, Luke through angels. John does it through words words about the Word.

The symbol for the evangelist John is the eagle and it is very apt, for throughout the gospel his words soar. They climb, ever higher, ever closer to the reality of the Mystery Who is God. It is said that the eagle can fly so high because it is the only creature that can look at the sun and not be blinded. Whether that is a fact or not, I do not know, but it is an appropriate symbol, for John looks at Jesus and sees God. Not being blinded, he also sees the most truly human being he knows.

John shows us a Jesus who weeps for a friend but also says, "I am the resurrection and the life"; one who washes his disciples' feet yet declares, "Whoever has seen me has seen the Father." John's witness comes after a long life of faithful discipleship. He remembers the promises of Jesus and he knows that they have come true in his life and the life of the Christian community around him. He knows that Jesus is alive and that human lives are transformed because of the Presence of the Christ.

So John struggles with "expressing the inexpressible" as Paul says, and tells us about the Word. It is in the beginning. It is present when "God created the heavens and the earth." The Word was there with God but John feels that's not enough. The Word WAS God. Nothing was made without the Word. Everything was made through it. The Word was the channel for life and for light for all of the creation. Dark as the world may seem at any moment our moment is a good one to think about! The light and the life of God and the Word have never been, and will never be, overcome! The light shines in the darkness and the darkness will never put it out.

That's a Christmas gift to cherish! Unwrap it this year and hold it close. Meditate on it; learn to trust it. Trusting the Word stretches us until the trust, by the grace of God, becomes a deeper and deeper love. The Presence of God becomes more and more real in our lives. May it be so for us this Christmas week and ever after.

Reflection: In the silence, see, hear, feel the light shining in the darkness. Bask in its glow. What is needed for you to trust it? Ask God for whatever you need.

Prayer: Holy Light, shine in my life today. Shine through me for others. Teach me to walk as light in darkness. May my praise become your joy. Amen

Hazelyn McComas

All contents copyright 2002 by the Wisconsin Chapter of the Methodist Federation for Social Action. Permission is granted to United Methodist congregations, individuals and groups to reproduce and distribute this devotional without charge. All other use requires the advance permission of the editor.