Christmas
January 3, 2015

Scripture Reading: John (1:1-9), 10-18

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. — John 1:10-13

Thus the saga begins with a retrospective. The book of John, believed to have been written in the last decade of the first century, gives us the insight of time and experience. It is not breathless like Mark, the first in time of the four gospels. It does not seem to have the targeted purposes reflected in Matthew, directed toward Jewish issues, and Luke, aliening with the oppressed. No, John has the feel of one standing back and viewing the whole picture of God Incarnate.

My collection of pictures is in one of those large round popcorn cans waiting for someone to at least label them. The last time I looked there were already pictures of people I could not remember. My mother on the other hand carefully arranged pictures by subject in albums with hand written notes about whom they were and perhaps some narrative on their lives. As I thumb through those albums now, I wonder why she included what she did and why she arranged them in the order they are in. The gospel of John is like my mother’s albums. It includes stories that only one who was present would have known like the young man running away from the Garden of Gethsemane losing his garment. Yet, it begins with the creation of the world. The gospel of John provides a most important perspective.

As the holiday season comes to an end and that down time (for me at least) between Christmas and New Year’s draws to an end, I am gearing up to get really busy again. It is important for me to live into the book of John holding onto that broad sweep of God at the beginning, God now, and God throughout eternity so that I do not get swept away by the intricacies of daily work. It might be important for you also.

Prayer: Lord, during this new year hold me close to you as I strive to hold you close to me both in the details of my life and in the panoramic view of how my life fits into your vision. 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 American. Used by permission. All rights reserved.