If we are going to behold the glory of God we will do it through Jesus Christ. Jesus became the partaker of our humanity so we could be partakers of his divinity (2 Peter 1:4).

The Seventh Day in the Octave of Christmas

1 John 2:18-21

Psalm 96:1-2, 11-12, 13

J ohn 1:1-18 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 were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. (4) In him was life, and the life was the light of men. (5) The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. (4) In him was life, and the life was the light of men. (5) The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. (6) There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. (7) He came for testimony, to bear witness to the light, that all might believe through him. (8) He was not the light, but came to bear witness to the light. (9) The true light that enlightens every man was coming into the world. (10) He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world knew him not. (11) He came to his own home, and his own people received him not. (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 nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. (14) And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth; we have beheld his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father. (15) (John bore witness to him, and cried, "This was he of whom I said, `He who comes after me ranks before me, for he was before me. '") (16) And from his fulness have we all received, grace upon grace. (17) For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. (18) No one has ever seen God; the only Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he has made him known.

W hy does John the Evangelist begin his gospel with a description of the Word of God which began the creation of the universe and humankind in the first book of Genesis? The “word of God” was a common expression among the Jews. God’s word in the Old Testament is an active, creative, and dynamic word. “By the word of the Lord the heavens were made” (Psalm 33:6). “He sends forth his commands to the earth; his word runs swiftly” (Psalm 147:15). “Is not my word like fire, says the Lord, and like a hammer which breaks the rock in pieces” (Jeremiah 23:29)? The writer of the Book of Wisdom addresses God as the one who “made all things by your word” (Wisdom 9:1). God’s word is also equated with his wisdom. “The Lord by wisdom founded the earth” (Proverbs 3:19).The Book of Wisdom describes “wisdom” as God’s eternal, creative, and illuminating power. Both “word” and “wisdom” are seen as one and the same. “For while gentle silence enveloped all things, and night in its swift course was now half gone, your all-powerful word leaped from heaven, from the royal throne, into the midst of the land that was doomed, a stern warrior carrying the sharp sword of your authentic command” (Book of Wisdom 18:14-16).

John describes Jesus as God’s creative, life-giving and light-giving word that has come to earth in human form. “God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). Jesus is the wisdom and power of God which created the world and sustains it who assumed a human nature in order to accomplish our salvation in it. Jesus became truly man while remaining truly God. “What he was, he remained, and what he was not he assumed” (from an early church antiphon for morning prayer). Jesus Christ is truly the Son of God who, without ceasing to be God and Lord, became a man and our brother. From the time of the Apostles the Christian faith has insisted on the incarnation of God’s Son “who has come in the flesh” (1 John 4:2).

Gregory of Nyssa, one of the great early church fathers (330-395 AD) wrote: Sick, our nature demanded to be healed; fallen, to be raised up; dead, to rise again.  We had lost the possession of the good; it was necessary for it to be given back to us. Closed in darkness, it was necessary to bring us the light; captives, we awaited a Savior; prisoners, help; slaves, a liberator.  Are these things minor or insignificant?  Did they not move God to descend to human nature and visit it, since humanity was in so miserable and unhappy a state?

Christians never cease proclaiming anew the wonder of the Incarnation. The Son of God assumed a human nature in order to accomplish our salvation in it. The Son of God ...worked with human hands; he thought with a human mind. He acted with a human will, and with a human heart he loved.  Born of the Virgin Mary, he has truly been made one of us, like to us in all things except sin (Gaudium et Spes).

If we are going to behold the glory of God we will do it through Jesus Christ. Jesus became the partaker of our humanity so we could be partakers of his divinity (2 Peter 1:4). God's purpose for us, even from the beginning of his creation, is that we would be fully united with Him. When Jesus comes God is made known as the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. By our being united in Jesus, God becomes our Father and we become his sons and daughters. Do you thank the Father for sending his only begotten Son to redeem you and to share with you his glory?

"Almighty God and Father of light, your eternal Word leaped down from heaven in the silent watches of the night. Open our hearts to receive his life and increase our vision with the rising of dawn, that our lives may be filled with his glory and his peace.”

Supplementary Reading

It's all good by Dr Robert Schuler

Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests. – Luke 2:14

A ngels serve many roles, but in the scriptures they are most frequently seen as messengers, usually delivering good news. When Jesus was born, the angels delivered the news that this baby was special—first to Mary, then to Joseph, and finally to the populace through shepherds. Anyone can be an angel—not literally, but figuratively—if you are a messenger of God. It doesn't take angel wings to share the good news that Jesus is the Messiah, God's Son, born that we might have life and have it more abundantly.

Good news is always appreciated. People avoid those who only share bad news, but are drawn to people who bear good news. What good news will you share today? Make a commitment to be an angel and share the good news of God’s love and grace today and every day!

Have you had the opportunity this week to share with someone the good news of God's love and grace? Today offers you another chance to do so.  

• 12/30/2009 22:18 - New Year Reflections 2010 (Part I)
• 12/30/2009 16:28 - Jan 4, 2010 - Monday Meditation (Jesus - He is the GOOD NEWS!)
• 12/30/2009 16:26 - Jan 3, 2010 - Epiphany (Finding the Finder!)
• 12/30/2009 15:29 - Jan 2, 2010 - Saturday Meditation (How can the World Know God, if it Can't Find GOD in us?)
• 12/30/2009 15:26 - Jan 1, 2010 - New Year Meditation (Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary)

• 12/27/2009 02:21 - Dec 30, 2009 - Wednesday Meditation (The Favor of God is for US too!)
• 12/27/2009 02:18 - Dec 29, 2009 - Tuesday Meditation (In Jesus, We Have Victory!)
• 12/25/2009 10:09 - Cardinal George Celebrates Simbang Gabi
• 12/24/2009 20:26 - Dec 28, 2009 - “Niños Inocentes” (The Holy Innocent-Martyrs) Feast Day
• 12/24/2009 20:24 - Dec 27, 2009 - Sunday Meditation (From Shame to Holiness in JESUS!)