“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” John 1:1-5.
John tells us something very startling about God. He says, "All things came to be through him, and without him not one thing came into being” John 1:3.
Let me make two observations about Christmas, 2024, on behalf of this startling statement:
1. All of us have come to be through the Word. This means that each of us is a word from and through the Word. And because we have come to be through the Word, we aren't cheap words or meaningless words. We get the impression from talking to people that many don't think much of themselves; they don't value who they are. Unfortunately, preachers in the pulpit and on TV often preach how sinful we are, but fail to remind us that we are fundamentally good words coming from the mouth of God. Today on Christmas Day we are reminded who we are. We, too, are the hallmark of God.
God sent his word. He did not hide it. He sent it in order to lighten up our lives. Since we came to be through this Word, we too are sent to be light-bearing words to one another. We are not meant to be hidden away in the darkness. We are words, words of light, and our being is being sent! If we choose to hide ourselves, then we are denying our identity as words sent to illumine the darkness.
John's message to us is always timely because we frequently lose sight of who we are and what we are called to be. However, his message is particularly appropriate during this season of light. God has sent his Word, we too are words from God, God's hallmarks. We are reminded that he cared enough to send us the very best, and that is why we rejoice on Christmas Day.
Christmas is the true success story. It is the story of Jesus Christ himself. He tasted the defeat of death to the full and drank the bitter cup to the dregs. He lay the love of his father in our hands. He made us the stewards of his kingdom. Above all he made us the salespersons of his faithfulness. He left us the simple message: the very best is always given.
Remember this touching Christmas story of a small boy who shyly presented himself to a department store clerk. "I would like to buy my mother a new blouse for Christmas," he said bravely. "Very nice," the clerk replied, "but first I shall have to know more about your mother. Tell me, is she short or tall?" "She is, she is ... the small boy stuttered and stammered. But then it came out forcefully and clear: She is perfect, she is perfect! So the clerk wrapped a blouse size 34 for him. "Merry Christmas!" said the boy, as he tenderly handed over his Christmas present to his perfect mother. A few days later, the mother returned the perfect 34 blouse, and exchanged it for a size 52. We may not fit the perfect size. But we all bear the hallmark of God. We are all perfect for (at least) somebody. We too are sent to one another through God's Word, God's hallmark.
2. Remember the English Christmas carol, "The Twelve Days of Christmas." It begins with the partridge in a pear tree, and continues with two turtle doves, three French hens, four calling birds, five golden rings, and so forth, till eleven pipers piping and twelve drummers drumming. The "Twelve Days of Christmas" was written in England as a catechism song for young Catholics, at a time when the Catholics were not permitted to practice their faith openly (1558-1829). And so the partridge in a pear tree is Jesus Christ; the two turtle doves, the Old and New Testament; the three French hens, faith, hope and charity; the four calling birds are the four Gospels; the five golden rings are the first five books of the Bible, the Pentateuch or Torah, which gives us the history of humanity’s fall from grace; the six geese a-laying are the six days of creation; the seven swans a-laying are the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, and the seven sacraments; the eight maids a-milking are the eight Beatitudes; the nine ladies dancing are the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit; the ten Lords a-leaping are the ten commandments; they eleven pipers piping are the eleven faithful Apostles, and the twelve drummers drumming; and the twelve drummers drumming are the twelve points of belief in the Apostle's Creed.
They are all related to the number one, to Jesus Christ, the Lord.
They are all part of the many words the one Word has generated.
They are all bridges that lead us back to the partridge in the pear tree.
They are also bridges that bring the Word of God into the present.
Stay with this season of Advent and have a blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year!
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