Jn 1:1-18
In the beginning was the Word. And the Word was with God and the Word was God; he was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him and without him nothing came to be. Whatever has come to be, found life in him, life which for human beings was also light. Light that shines in the darkness: light that darkness could not overcome. A man came, sent by God; his name was John. He came to bear witness, as a witness to introduce the Light so that all might believe through him. He was not the Light but a witness to introduce the Light; for the Light was coming into the world, the true Light that enlightens everyone. He was in the world, and through him the world was made, the very world that did not know him. He came to his own, yet his own people did not receive him; but to all who received him, he empowers to become children of God, for they believe in his name.
These are born, but not by seed, or carnal desire, nor by the will of man: they are born of God. And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us; and we have seen his glory, the glory of the only Son of the Father: fullness of truth and loving-kindness. John bore witness to him openly, saying, “This is the one who comes after me, but he is already ahead of me, for he was before me.” From his fullness we have all received, favor upon favor. For God had given us the law through Moses, but Truth and Loving-kindness came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God, but God-the-only-Son made him known: the one, who is in and with the Father.
REFLECTION
In Christmas, we not only have descriptions of Jesus’ birth, but also texts in which we grasp the depth of the mystery which is behind the humble circumstances of Bethlehem, the stable and the manger. The Prologue of the Gospel of John is one of these manifestations of the true personality of this child.
After the affirmation of the eternal divinity of the Word and his participation in creation and revelation to everyone, we hear the essential tenet of our faith: “And the Word was made flesh; …, and we have seen his Glory, the Glory of the only Son coming from the Father: fullness of truth and loving-kindness.”
God is quite invisible, but the only Son of God is now visible in his flesh and as such we can see him in his fullness of grace and truth.
This is why the beloved disciple, John, could write: “The Word was with the Father and made himself known to us. So we tell you what we have seen and heard that you may be in fellowship with us, and us, with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.”
And he even denounces: “Who is the liar? The one who denies that Jesus is the Christ. This is the antichrist, who denies both the Father and the Son.”
This solemn warning reminds us the conviction of our Catholic faith based in the Scripture and proclaimed everywhere since the apostolic times. Christmas is then the gift of eternal life through faith in Jesus, the Incarnate Son of God.
CLARETIAN COMMUNICATIONS FOUNDATION, INC.
8 Mayumi Street, U.P. Village, Diliman, 1101 Quezon City, Philippines
Tel.: (02) 921-3984 • 922-00-11 • 921-28-59 Fax: (02) 921-6205, 927-7429
Bookstore: (02) 924-6835
Email: ccfi@claretianpublications.com / cci@claret.org
Website: www.claretianpublications.com
