“In the beginning was the Word…”  (John 1:1)

Christmas services often include the opening verses to the Gospel of John, concluding at verse 14: “and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us…”  For years, I have always put the emphasis on the conclusion – the Word made flesh – and treated the opening verses as sort of a prologue.  But beginnings are important.  Those opening verses aren’t just filler to get us to the ‘Word made flesh.’

Mark begins his Gospel with the story of Jesus’ baptism.  Luke starts by telling about how John the Baptist’s birth was promised to his parents, Zechariah and Elizabeth.  Matthew begins his story of Jesus with a genealogy, tracing Jesus’ roots to Abraham – the father of Israel. 

John starts “in the beginning.”   John calls us back to the first chapter of Genesis – to the Word who is with God before the universe is born.

The universe is called into being by God’s Word.  Nothing that exists has come into being except through the creative Word of God.  God speaks and worlds spring forth into being; light and dark, sea and earth, plants, animals and humankind are the fruitful result of God’s creative Word.

When God speaks forth this creative Word, God enters into the created order.  All of creation is, and always has been, filled with the presence of God.

The Word God speaks in creation is not like a voice command to Alexa or Siri.  When God speaks, God insinuates the divine essence into every atom and into the quiver of every wave of energy.  God communicates more than a command or mere information through God’s Word.  God communicates God’s very self in and through the Word God speaks. Therefore, God is revealed in the worlds that are formed from this creative communication.

Jesus is God’s Word breathed forth as flesh and blood.  Today we meditate on the depth of God’s presence in this world we inhabit.  The Incarnate Word was cradled in Mary’s arms in a stable in Bethlehem and when she clung to Jesus’ lifeless body after he was lowered from the cross. 

Today we give thanks that God’s presence is still right here – in all of the created order and within you and me.  The God we worship at Christmas is a God who is not to be found in some distant heaven, but right here and right now, around us and within us. 

Prayer:  Your love, the fire of your Being, is the light that illumines the universe and the very power of life that burns within us.  Let us shine with your holy fire.  Amen