Christmas Day

December 25, 2022

Scripture: 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.

For many people, Christmas day is a time to share love with families or friends with merriment and joy. A candlelight Christmas Eve service might light the way, a Christmas Day worship service might set the stage this year, or both. Gift-giving traditions will be followed, and favorite foods will remind us of that special cake grandma used to make. For others, this may be a more sober time because of the illness or death of a loved one. Yet we rest in the hope of God with Us even in times of sorrow or pain.

For others, this may be a painful time. For them, for whatever reason, the celebration of Christmas brings back unhappy memories resulting from family discord, extreme poverty, misdirected beliefs, or unhappy situations in our lives today. I recall the faith of the Ukrainian people on this very day and probably many days to come as they deal with war. We need to remember that these situations are exactly the reason God came and dwelt among us to redeem us from the world’s challenges.

Christmas is a time for all Christ-followers to rededicate themselves to build the Beloved Community worldwide sooner than later.  

Prayer: God with Us, empower our love to spread your love in our homes and to the ends of the earth. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.