Christian Reflection and Prayer

(Day 2 of Advent)

Scripture:

In the beginning was the Word
(see John 1:1)

Reflection:

Before we jump into the hustle and bustle of preparing for
Christmas of 2013, it is important to journey back in time
to that first Christmas. John does just that in his Gospel.
But he doesn't stop at the manger in Bethlehem. He
goes back beyond the moment Joseph discovers his
betrothed wife Mary is pregnant. He doesn't even stop
when the angel first appears to the Virgin Mary. John
keeps going backward in time, carrying us back all the
way to the start of the Old Testament.

John starts his account of the first Christmas with
"In the beginning"-the precise moment God creates
the heavens and the earth. The earth lies before us
formless and void, covered with seas and wrapped
in darkness. John writes "In the beginning was the Word "
 
Notice John did not write, "In the beginning is the Word.
" At the beginning of the creation of the heaven and
earth, the Word already was. Mary's Son, the Word that
would become flesh that first Christmas morn, existed
long before. He existed before the world was created.

Before we dive into all our Christmas preparations,
before we start wondering if it's worth all the time and
work, let's remember we are not merely celebrating
the birth of one more famous human baby. We are
preparing to celebrate the human birth of the timeless
and eternal Word of God, who was there at His Father's
side before God created the heavens and the earth.

(Lutheran Hour Ministries)