John 1:1-18 (NRSV)
Read John 1:1-18 on biblegateway.com
Chapter 1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Verse 2He was in the beginning with God. Verse 3All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being Verse 4in him was life, and the life was the light of all people.
Verse 5The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. Verse 6There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. Verse 7He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. Verse 8He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. Verse 9The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. Verse 10He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. Verse 11He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. Verse 12But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, Verse 13who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God. Verse 14And 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.
Verse 15(John testified to him and cried out, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me.'") Verse 16From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. Verse 17The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. Verse 18No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father's heart, who has made him known.
Devotion
Life has taught me that secrets keep me stuck and adversely affect those around me. Likewise, walking in the shadows of life keeps me trapped beneath the privileges of God’s children. Christmas invites us to be people of the Light—a light which no amount of darkness can ever overcome.
The Fall sent all of us into hiding. In Jesus we rediscover a quality of life which is the ultimate Light of humankind. When we walk in that Light, there is absolutely nothing to hide. Nothing to fear. Nothing to prove. And nothing to lose. Walking in the Light means ‘the jury is not out’ and we’re no longer on trial. In Jesus, we’re truly free! Frankly, there’s no better deal. There’s no more valuable gift. Merry Christmas!
Prayer
Gracious Lord, grant us the supreme grace this day to trust, surrender and relinquish all, so that we might receive what you have in store for us and respond with gratitude. Amen.