An Advent Remind{h}er: 03

This week, we turn to a familiar passage from the gospel of John.

A reading from John 1: 1-18, for the heart sitting in darkness, longing to know and be known.

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being 4 in him was life,[a] and the life was the light of all people. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.

6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. 8 He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. 9 The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.[b]

10 He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to what was his own,[c] and his own people did not accept him. 12 But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.

14 And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son,[d] full of grace and truth. 

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.’”) 16 From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. 17 The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son,[e] who is close to the Father’s heart,[f] who has made him known.

This is the Word of the Lord.

What stood out to you in this familiar passage? Maybe a word or phrase? Why might that be?

What questions do you have?

We read that the light shines in the darkness and the darkness did not overcome it. What present darkness do you need the light to overcome?

The Word became flesh and lived among us. God lived among us. WITH us. What significance does that truth hold for you?

Jesus is the perfect image of God. What do we know of God through Jesus the Word?

After reflecting on this passage, what do you particularly need to know today?

Holy God, God With Us, we thank you for your Word who came down and for your light that always overcomes. May our lives always point to your light as we remember and reflect your presence with us. Amen.