God’s Word of Joy
Introduction
John 1:1-18: Today’s reading is in the form of a prologue or opening hymn that introduces the key themes to John’s Gospel. Jesus is described as the Word who already existed with God and whose life “brought light to people.” John the Baptist is described as one who bore witness to the light.
Scripture Reading
The Word of Life
1In the beginning the Word already existed; the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2From the very beginning the Word was with God. 3Through him God made all things; not one thing in all creation was made without him. 4The Word was the source of life, and this life brought light to people. 5The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has never put it out.
6 God sent his messenger, a man named John, 7who came to tell people about the light, so that all should hear the message and believe. 8He himself was not the light; he came to tell about the light. 9This was the real light—the light that comes into the world and shines on all people.
10The Word was in the world, and though God made the world through him, yet the world did not recognize him. 11He came to his own country, but his own people did not receive him. 12Some, however, did receive him and believed in him; so he gave them the right to become God’s children. 13They did not become God’s children by natural means, that is, by being born as the children of a human father; God himself was their Father.
14The Word became a human being and, full of grace and truth, lived among us. We saw his glory, the glory which he received as the Father’s only Son.
15John spoke about him. He cried out, “This is the one I was talking about when I said, ‘He comes after me, but he is greater than I am, because he existed before I was born.’”
16Out of the fullness of his grace he has blessed us all, giving us one blessing after another. 17God gave the Law through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18No one has ever seen God. The only Son, who is the same as God and is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.
Today’s Key Verse: John 1:14a
The Word became a human being and, full of grace and truth, lived among us.
Reflect
Jesus is presented as the Word who was with God when God created and gave life to everything. The opening words, “In the beginning,” hearken back to Genesis 1. The first thing God created was light. How many times does the word “light” appear in today’s reading? What does the reference to Jesus as “light” mean to you?
Pray
Lord Jesus, you are the living Word and source of life. You are the true Light that no darkness can overcome. Grace and truth come through you. Out of the fullness of your grace, I am blessed. Because I believe in you, I know that I am a beloved child of God. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for coming into the world. In your holy name, I pray. Amen.
Tomorrow’s Reading
Matthew 1:1-17: Matthew gives an account of Jesus’s ancestors.