John 1:1-14 (NRSV)
Read John 1:1-14 on biblegateway.com
Chapter 1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Verse 2He was in the beginning with God. Verse 3All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being Verse 4in him was life, and the life was the light of all people.
Verse 5The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. Verse 6There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. Verse 7He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. Verse 8He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. Verse 9The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. Verse 10He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. Verse 11He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. Verse 12But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, Verse 13who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God. Verse 14And 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.
Devotion
Light the lights. Put a candle in every room and rehearse the good news. The darkness is powerless in every way, in every room of our lives. The infant light of Christ has come. I especially love the outdoor lights strung around homes, storefronts, trees and bushes. When I turn down each street I remember: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.” Without even knowing it, the people of this world are proclaiming the Christmas story! I wish the lights would stay up throughout Christmastide—and beyond. For too many, the good news is short-lived. They haul out their ladders on Dec. 26 and take down the lights. And so we must shine so that the wonder of the Christ light shines into the world, into the new year.
Prayer
As we celebrate Christmas, Christ, be our light. Now and each tomorrow. Amen.