The Gospel according to John (1:1-18)
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came to be through him, and without him nothing came to be. What came to be through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race; the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. A man named John was sent from God. He came for testimony, to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world came to be through him, but the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, but his own people did not accept him. But to those who did accept him he gave power to become children of God, to those who believe in his name, who were born not by natural generation nor by human choice nor by a man’s decision but of God. And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father’s only-begotten Son, full of grace and truth. John testified to him and cried out, saying, “This was he of whom I said, ‘The one who is coming after me ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.’” From his fullness we have all received, grace in place of grace, because while the law was given through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. The only-begotten Son, God, who is at the Father’s side, has revealed him.
Reflection: On this, the seventh day of the Octave of Christmas, we are given a mystery. The mystery of the “Word.” It presents Jesus to us as the “Word.” He is the Word who takes on flesh and is eternal, from “the beginning with God.” Scripture continues to say that the Word was God and that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.
The term “Word,” given to Jesus in this passage, is a translation of the Greek word “Logos.” Logos means “plan,” “reason,” “logic.” It also can be understood as the spoken word. In todays reading it especially reveals to us that God “spoke” from eternity His perfect plan of salvation and this wisdom spoken is a Person. The Person is the Divine Son of God, Jesus. Thus, when the Son “speaks” we should listen carefully!
Christmas should be a time of great joy and celebration. It should be a time in which we reflect upon the nativity of Christ the Lord. We should always keep before us the fact that Christmas is a great mystery of faith and a relationship between God and us.
