Bethlehem Bound

 

As we let the candles of hope, peace, and love burn brightly within us, slowly read and savor John’s poetic reminder of the Cosmic Christ who has always been collaborating and conspiring with the Creator since the beginning.  I invite you to read aloud so you can hear, feel and experience these words:

 

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.

⁶ There was a man sent from God whose name was John. ⁷ He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. ⁸ He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. ⁹ The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.

¹⁰ He was in the world, and the world came into being through him, yet the world did not know him. ¹¹ He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. ¹² But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, ¹³ who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.  ¹⁴ And 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. ¹⁵ (John testified to him and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me.’ ”) ¹⁶ From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. ¹⁷ The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. ¹⁸ No one has ever seen God. It is the only Son, himself God, who is close to the Father’s heart, who has made him known.

 

Fifteen days ago, I asked you to select a word to carry with you to the manger this year.  A word that I pray blessed you and maybe even frustrated you occasionally.  You may wonder, “Why did I pick 'hope’ when the headlines every day shout reasons why that word seems foolish or as far away from reality as the planet Pluto?”  Or maybe you selected “Peace” and each day have found a few moments to sit, breathe, be, letting that word wash over you.  Or maybe you have decided to trade your word for a different one, like trying on shoes for a journey.  Regardless of where you are with your word, we know that words shape us.  Words impact us.  While I learned that famous childhood refrain/rhyme, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me.” ~ you and I know that this isn’t true. Words wound.  Words can be weaponized by politicians, pundits, and pastors.  Yet, God sends God’s Words/Wisdom/Dream/Prayer in the flesh and form of Jesus. 

 

In John’s gospel, he opens with a poetic riff on Genesis 1 by saying that God’s Word has been eternally present and participated in creation.  In verse 6, John takes an exit ramp to talk about John.  On November 30^th, in church, we heard about Zachariah and Elizabeth, John’s parents, who were advanced in age, their AARP cards tattered and torn.  Their hope of ever having a child had long ago been let go of and seemed impossible/impractical/ill-advised as their bodies told the score of a long life.  But then…surprise..a birth announcement.  The gospel of John does some wonderful verbal gymnastics above.  Re-read verse 8, John was not…I repeat was not…the light.  All four gospel writers have what is called “The problem of John the baptizer.”  By all accounts, John the Baptizer was a popular prophet.  His followers on Twitter were numerous, and his attendance numbers at worship services required police to direct traffic.  Just kidding.  But John the baptizer was well-known.  John had disciples who followed him and thought he was the Messiah.  So, the gospel writers must acknowledge John, but don’t want to distract from Jesus.  I don’t think Jesus had a problem with John.  I don’t think Jesus was concerned about who or how you experienced the love of God, only that you knew deep in your heart and soul this truth. 

 

Today, hold your word for the wisdom and love it longs to let loose in your life.  And may your word guide and ground you as we turn the corner and count down to Christmas Eve.  With God’s love to you all~  Amen.