John 1:9-14 9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
This is one of my favorite passages. It is the essence of our faith. It is the eye witness account the compelling testimony that GOD is real and that HE appeared on earth in human form. It very carefully, very simply, and very beautifully outlines the reason for the appearance in a way that can only be explained as remarkably transcending.
Examine the multiple definitions of the word light; illuminating, enlightening, igniting! The message is an incredible one. Have you ever flown on a rainy or overcast day? On the ground everything is dark, gloomy, and miserable. There are usually some bumps and turbulence as you climb out of the weather but suddenly the aircraft breaks through the cloud deck into a brilliant blue sky and golden sunshine. It was there all along. GOD is! We were not created to live in a broken world filled with misery and pain. We were made to live in splendor with our CREATOR enjoying HIS love and grace. In an instant that was fractured and the “disconnect” so deep the truth became hidden like a dark cloud blotting out the sunshine.
John tells us that incredibly, all is not lost and more importantly it is a firsthand account. We have remarkably been reconnected to our GOD through his SON and for us this should be like discovering we have the winning lottery ticket. We have a path back to our home, one lovingly prepared especially for us!
There is so much Christmas in this passage. John describes to us the awesome power of our GOD, power we can’t fully comprehend. In that power GOD chose to present us with the ultimate gift of sacrifice, mercy, forgiveness and love!
Gracious CREATOR of all things, FATHER, SON, and HOLY SPIRIT, slow things down for us this Christmas season and allow us the opportunity to bask in the rays of your awesome light and your gracious gift of life, love, and forgiveness, in CHRIST name we pray.
Jim L.