The Word was first,
    the Word present to God,
    God present to the Word.
The Word was God,
    in readiness for God from day one.

Everything was created through him;
    nothing—not one thing!—
    came into being without him.
What came into existence was Life,
    and the Life was Light to live by.
The Life-Light blazed out of the darkness;
    the darkness couldn’t put it out.

There once was a man, his name John, sent by God to point out the way to the Life-Light. He came to show everyone where to look, who to believe in. John was not himself the Light; he was there to show the way to the Light.

The Life-Light was the real thing:
    Every person entering Life
    he brings into Light.
He was in the world,
    the world was there through him,
    and yet the world didn’t even notice.
He came to his own people,
    but they didn’t want him.
But whoever did want him,
    who believed he was who he claimed
    and would do what he said,
He made to be their true selves,
    their child-of-God selves.
These are the God-begotten,
    not blood-begotten,
    not flesh-begotten,
    not sex-begotten.

The Word became flesh and blood,
    and moved into the neighborhood.
We saw the glory with our own eyes,
    the one-of-a-kind glory,
    like Father, like Son,
Generous inside and out,
    true from start to finish. (The Message)

Joy to the world! Merry Christmas to you, my friend. On this day, and for the next twelve days, we remember and celebrate the nativity of Christ, and the mystery of his incarnation.

We acknowledge with Christians, both past and present, all around the world, in proclaiming together:

“Glory to God in heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors.” (Luke 2:14, CEB)

We relate to the shepherds, out in their fields, caring for the flocks of sheep at night, who were terrified, yet went and offered their worship to the newborn king, listening to the angelic message:

Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:10-11, NKJV)

We identify with Mary, the mother of Jesus, who pondered the meaning of the nativity in her heart. (Luke 2:19)

This Christmas season extends from December 25 through January 5. Celebrating throughout these days helps us enter into the profound meaning and mystery of Christ’s incarnation – rather than just observing one day.

Today’s Gospel lesson moves us to do just that, to acknowledge and affirm the identity of Jesus Christ as fully human, and at the same time, all the time, fully divine.

Christ was both born into this world, and pre-existed from the very beginning. Indeed, Jesus has always existed, without any sort of preconditions to his eternal being. He is a person, a persona of God. In other words, Jesus is God.

The Lord Jesus is the pre-existent light-bearer who is designated to come as the light-giver, whose light is unquenchable and never goes out. He is the Light of the world.

John is a witness to that light. And although this light should have been expected, there were (and are) many who reject the Light, who is the Word for the world.

Yet, any sort of rejection cannot possibly hinder the light’s ability to illumine the hearts of many people.

This Word, this Light, this pre-existing Christ, has actually enfleshed himself, becoming present with us in this world. And this is precisely what the faithful are celebrating this day, and in this season. God has come among us!

The giving of the Son, this person of God, this incredible light and life, is a grace well beyond the divine giving of the Law – because the Law has been incarnated in the person of Jesus the Christ.

There is much to ponder, and much to celebrate, on this day, and for the upcoming days of this season.

We were all physically born of the flesh. We may all also become spiritually born of God through the Word of God, Jesus, the Savior whom we acknowledge and adore today and every day.

“The Word of God, our Lord Jesus Christ, through his transcendent love, became what we are, so that he might bring us to what he is himself.”

St. Irenaeus

By means of the incarnation, in Christ, and through the Spirit, we have the chance, the ability, made possible by God’s grace, to participate in the divine nature; and in the divine dance of unhindered and unending unity, harmony, peace, and love which continually exists within the Holy Trinity – Father, Son, and Spirit.

This is a spiritual reality worth a robust celebration today – and all the days which God gives us on this earth. To God be the glory.

God, you spoke, and your Word became flesh, breathing a new song of joy and praise into the world. Grant that we may bear the good news of your salvation, proclaiming your promise of peace to the ends of the earth. Amen.