and without him nothing came to be. Whatever has come to be, found life in him; life, which
for human beings, was also light, light that shines in darkness, light that darkness could not
overcome.
A man came, sent by God; his name was John. He came to bear witness, as a witness to
introduce the Light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the Light, but a
witness to introduce the Light; for the Light was coming into the world, the true Light that
enlightens everyone. He came to his own, yet his own people did not receive him; but to
all who received him, he empowers to become children of God, for they believe in his name.
And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us; and we have seen his glory, the glory
of the only Son of the Father: fullness of truth and loving-kindness.
John bore witness to him openly, saying, “This is the one who comes after me, but he is
already ahead of me, for he was before me.” From his fullness we have all received,
favor upon favor. For God had given us the law through Moses, but Truth and
Loving-kindness came through Jesus Christ.
Reflect
How great is our joy on this holy day! The Lord of heaven and God of all creation has
come to earth and made his dwelling among us as flesh as blood, as one like us in all
things but sin. For millennia, God’s faithful people waited for the Messiah to come.
They recalled the stories of their ancestors and gathered hope from the words of the
prophets. How lucky are we to know that the Christ has come and that God’s kingdom
is at hand! How blessed that we can know the Lord, meditating on his Word and
receiving him in the Eucharist.
Saint Athanasius described the incarnation thusly: God became human so that humanity
might become divine. Christmas is not just about the baby lying in the manger, heralded
by the angels, and adored by shepherds. Christmas is about God coming into our world
so that he could destroy death forever and welcome all who believe into eternal life – the
first Christmas gift.
© Copyright Bible Diary 2023