The Word Is God

 

 John 1: 1-18

The Word Became Flesh

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ² He was with God in the beginning. ³ Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. ⁴ In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. ⁵ The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

⁶ There was a man sent from God whose name was John. ⁷ He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. ⁸ He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.

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.

¹⁵ (John testified concerning him. He cried out, saying, “This is the one I spoke about when I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’”) ¹⁶ Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. ¹⁷ For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. ¹⁸ No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.

As we enter this day with its family gatherings and gleeful children excited by their presents, let's remember the real Gift and the True reason for our celebration, the Birth of Jesus, the Word made Flesh, God With us to SAVE US.  As we look at our world today, we easily see that the world needs saving.  Our Savior has already come, 2000 years ago, and we need him more than ever.  Let us give him priority in our lives and families., hopefully attend Mass and stress the most important gift of all:  the Child in the manger we (I hope) have set up beneath or near our Christmas Tree. For us a child is born, to us a son is given.

Merry Christmas to all...

Bro. Rene

Lord Jesus, you are truly the Son of God who desires an intimate relationship with us. In the form of a helpless child, you came into this world amid the poor and vulnerable. May we welcome you with joy into the quiet stillness of our hearts. Help us to recognize the greatness of your glory and the abundance of life which you offer us each day. For today you offer us abundant life and call us to proclaim this Good News to the whole world. In your Holy Name, Amen.

Rev. Mr. John Sebastian Gutierrez, C.S.C