light that darkness could not overcome.
A man came, sent by God; his name was John.
He came to bear witness, as a witness to introduce the Light, so that all might believe through him.
He was not the Light, but a witness to introduce the Light; for the Light was coming into the world,
the true Light that enlightens everyone.
He was in the world, and through him the world was made, the very world that did not know him.
He came to his own, yet his own people did not receive him; but to all who received him,
he empowers to become children of God, for they believe in his name.
These are born, but not by seed, or carnal desire, nor by the will of man: they are born of God.
And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us; and we have seen his glory,
the glory of the only Son of the Father: fullness of truth and loving kindness.
John bore witness to him openly, saying, ”This is the one who comes after me, but he is already ahead of me,
for he was before me.”
From his fullness we have all received, favor upon favor.
For God had given us the law through Moses, but Truth and Loving kindness came through Jesus Christ.
No one has ever seen God, but God-the-only-Son made him known: the one, who is in and with the Father.
REFLECTION:
Read: Isaiah, sometimes called the “Gospel of the Old Testament”
because of its many prophecies connected to Jesus and Mary,
anticipates the great joy of Israel welcoming back to Jerusalem the King of Israel.
God coming in the flesh is the culmination of the Revelation. Jesus is the final Word of the Father.
The great mystery of the Nativity is God becoming flesh!
The key word of the Nativity is: “and the WORD WAS MADE FLESH.”
Reflect: The long-awaited Messiah
– King comes into the world not in the grandeur of the royal palace but in the humble manger of poor shepherds.
The King identifies with his subjects, the common man. The Messiah is going to be a Shepherd.
And he will be a Good Shepherd
The Emmanuel will be present always amongst his people for by becoming Flesh
the Divine becomes for all time present to all flesh!
Pray: Silence, holy silence, is the best gesture or response when one is in the august presence of the Lord-Adonai.
Thus even nature, is silent, He is born on a “Silent Night!” But though the earth be silent and still,
yet in the heavens the angels sing “Gloria in Excelsis.” We do the same.
Act: Rejoice in God’s embrace as you embrace the baby Jesus, individually and as a family! Merry Christmas!
© Copyright Bible Diary 2020