John 1:1-14
THE PROCLAMATION OF THE BIRTH OF CHRIST
Today, the twenty–fifth day of December, unknown ages from the time when God created the heavens and the earth and then formed man and woman in his own image.
Several thousand years after the flood, when God made the rainbow shine forth as a sign of the covenant. Twenty–one centuries from the time of Abraham and Sarah; thirteen centuries after Moses led the people of Israel out of Egypt.
Eleven hundred years from the time of Ruth and the Judges; one thousand years from the anointing of David as king; in the sixty–fifth week according to the prophecy of Daniel.
In the one hundred and ninety–fourth Olympiad; the seven hundred and fifty–second year from the foundation of the city of Rome.
The forty–second year of the reign of Octavian Augustus; the whole world being at peace, Jesus Christ, eternal God and Son of the eternal Father, desiring to sanctify the world by his most merciful coming, being conceived by the Holy Spirit, and nine months having passed since his conception, was born in Bethlehem of Judea of the Virgin Mary.
Today is the nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ according to the flesh.
Gathering Hymn: Once in Royal David’s City – ELW 269
The Holy Gospel according to John
Glory be to you O Lord
Gospel: John 1:1-14
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, and the life was the light of all people. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overtake 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.
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, 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, full of grace and truth.
The gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you O Christ.
Homily:
It is Luke (in his Gospel) who tells us when Jesus was born.
- It is Luke who tells us about the young Mary…nearing full term…traveling atop a mule clopping from Nazareth to Bethlehem…the ancestral home…
- It is Luke who tells us that an innkeeper turned them away for want of a room…
- It is Luke who reveals that the baby was delivered in a cattle pen populated by farm animals…a cow…a goat…a sheep and chickens.
- It is Luke who gives us the touching detail of Mary wrapping the baby in some tight swaddling clothes…
- It is Luke who mentions the shepherds watching their flocks by night…
- It is Luke who describes the amazing appearance of an angelic chorus…
- It is Luke who tells us that one of the angels said:
- Do not be afraid…for see…I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people…to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior…who is the Messiah…the Lord.
Tonight’s gospel reading…though…is not from Saint Luke.
- Tonight’s story of the nativity of Jesus is from Saint John.
- This is John’s account of Jesus’ appearance on earth…and it is quite different from Luke’s version.
- Not that there are contradictions…there are not.
John’s Gospel was the last of the four Gospels to be written…and so he has read Luke’s version of the birth of Christ…and has no intention of retelling it.
- How can you top the magisterial treatment Luke gives to the birth of the Christ child? You cannot.
- It is a moving…emotional…poignant account of a baby surviving against all odds.
- Luke answers the questions as to how…when and where Jesus was born.
- John reveals the why of Jesus’ birth.
- John begins with the words…In the beginning…
- Words that cannot fail to take the reader back to Genesis chapter one.
John takes us deep…pulling back the curtain on the cosmic why.
- John does not begin in Bethlehem.
- He does not even begin with Mary or Joseph or angels or stars.
- He begins in eternity.
- In the beginning was the Word…and the Word was with God…and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.
- Sound familiar?
- That opening phrase echoes Genesis Chapter one…verse one:
- In the beginning God created…
- John wants us to think back to the dawn of time…
- To remind us that Jesus did not begin in a manger…he already was.
- This is a great truth John gives us:
- That in the cosmic sweep of all that is and ever was…Jesus is the eternal Word of God.
Yes…the birth of Jesus is celebrated according to tradition on Christmas Day.
- This is why we are here today…to celebrate a specific birthday on a specific date.
- It makes sense…we all have birthdays…and we have birthday parties and receive birthday gifts.
- This is baby Jesus’ birthday…but John reminds us that Jesus divine nature…has no birthday at all.
- A baby without a birth date!
- The story of this immortal being…clothed now in a mortal baby body…
- Stretching and curling his baby fingers…gurgling and soiling his diapers…begins before time began.
The Greek word John uses is logos…the Word.
- To the Jewish mind…the Word…was the creative…powerful voice of God that spoke the universe into being.
- And so…John declares: This Word…this eternal…divine…creating…sustaining Reason…was with God…and was God.
For those who receive Jesus…life will never be the same.
- Verse 12: But to all who received him…who believed in his name…he gave power to become children of God.
- This brings us back to the birth of Jesus.
- His birth reminds us that it is never too late to experience a new birth…
- To embrace a life that can only be called a new creation.
Our reading tells us that not everyone rejected him.
- This is the offer of Christmas…the purpose behind the Incarnation:
- To turn orphans into children…
- To give strangers a place at the table…
- To transform believers into family.
- We are not born into this family by blood…or by willpower…or by pedigree…but by God’s grace.
And the Word became flesh and lived among us.
- This is Christmas according to John.
- Not a baby in a manger…but God taking on skin.
- Not just visiting…but moving into the neighborhood.
- The word…dwelling…is a reference to a tent…
- That God pitched his tent among us.
- In Jesus…God is not distant…not abstract…not far off.
- He is here…present…with us…Emmanuel.
- And this is great news for those of us who are wondering what life is all about.
This is the true miracle of Christmas.
- Not just that God sent us a message…
- But that he came in person.
- Not just that he came…but that he came full of grace and truth…
- Enough to save…enough to reveal…enough to carry us through whatever darkness we face.
So…while Luke gives us the cradle…John gives us the cosmos.
- While Luke shows us the baby…John shoes us the glory.
- While Luke sets the scene…John sets us up with a purpose.
- The Word became flesh…so that we might become children of God.
Prayers of Intercession
Empowered by the news of Christ’s birth, let us pray boldly for the church, creation, and all who are in need.
A brief silence.
The Word becomes flesh and dwells among us, bringing life, love, and joy to a weary world. Gracious God, use our lips and our lives to proclaim the good news of your coming. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
The earth rejoices and the coastlands are glad on the day of your birth. Bring life to barren wastelands, healing where we have caused harm, and bold hearts to respond to creation’s call for justice. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
Righteousness and justice are your foundation, O Holy One. Fill world leaders with your zeal for righteousness and your love for any who are marginalized and oppressed. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
The heavens proclaim your glory and announce that we have been made your own people. Keep watch over all who are spending this holy day alone, alienated, or ill. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
Light dawns for the righteous and joy visits the upright in heart. Fortify us with your grace and fill us with zeal to proclaim the news of your birth to those who long for love. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
From the nurturing darkness of the womb to the tender night of the tomb, you enfold us in your love. We remember with affection those who have died and now rest in your eternal embrace (Keith Waldron). Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
With the joy of Christ’s birth in our hearts, we commend our prayers to you, O God, trusting in your boundless mercy and eternal love, through Jesus Christ our Savior.
Amen.
Sending Hymn: Silent Night, Holy Night! – ELW 281
Blessing
The God of love,
Father, ☩ Son, and Holy Spirit,
lavish you with grace,
illumine your path,
and increase your joy,
today and always.
Amen.