The Christmas Gospel According to John

During the Christmas season we expect to hear the Luke 2 account of our Savior’s birth.  During the season of Epiphany we hear the story of the visit of the Magi as told by Matthew.  Both Gospel also contain narratives on the announcement of the Jesus’ birth; Matthew tells the story from Joseph’s perspective and the more detailed account of Mary’s story is found in Luke.  But, there is another Christmas gospel.   It is found in John 1.  While Matthew and Luke provide the details of the event, John provides insight into the meaning of Jesus’ birth.  While Matthew traces Jesus lineage back to Abraham and Luke connects the story to Old Testament prophesy, John goes one better and connect Jesus birth with the beginning of the world at creation.

“In the beginning was the Word.” (John 1:1).  The fact that the “Word” is capitalized causes us to assume it is a proper noun, meaning Jesus is the “Word.”  John links Jesus, “The Word,” to creation.  That means that all three persons of The Trinity were present at the beginning of the world.  God the Father was the creator who called things into existence, and the Spirit was present “hovering over the waters” but what role did Jesus play in creation?  Translated into Greek, “The Word” is Logos.  In this context term “The Logos” appears twice in the scriptures, at creation and at the birth of Jesus.

In the beginning “the earth was formless and empty.” (Genesis 1:2).  It was encompassed in darkness.  I would propose that Jesus' role was to enter into that chaos and bring a sense of peace.   I believe that is the message John is delivering at the beginning of his gospel.  In John 1:14 he writes, “The Word (“The Logos”) became flesh and lived a while among us.”  Jesus brought the same sense of peace to the first century world as he brings today.  The word “Peace” is often associated with the Christmas season.  Even the secular world uses the word “Peace” at Christmas time, but those of us who get the message realize that the only “true peace” can be found in “The Logos.” 

My prayer for you this Christmas is that you may experience the “peace” of the Christ Child in an even deeper way.  I also pray that “The Logos” may bring peace to the chaos that is your world.  I further pray that through you people may see the peace of the Christ Child.  Our world may seem to have lost it way and be in a state of chaos, but the Prince of Peace has come to restore order and remove the darkness that covers the earth.  You are his instrument to accomplish that.  My God grant that through the power of His Spirit, this Christmas and in 2016.

IT IS CHRISTMAS AND THE MILLENNIALS ARE COMING

Christmas is a time when a lot of individuals find their way home.  For many families that means welcoming home Millennials.  Some those might be college students.  Others are young adults who live in distant cities.  Parents are not the only ones who wait in expectation for the return of young people.  Pastors and others on the church staff are anticipating the return of so many familiar faces.  I recall my days in church youth ministry.  The Christmas Eve services were among my favorite times.  In addition to hearing the story of our Savior’s birth and singing the familiar carols, I anticipated seeing so many of the kids I had bonded with in youth group. 

Welcoming home some Millennials can be a difficult experience.   Some have made decisions that they know run counter to their parent’s desires.  Those choices also might run counter to what they were taught in Sunday school and youth group.  There is also the unfortunate possibility many of them have wandered from the faith.  Others still consider themselves to be spiritual but have turned a deaf ear to the message of traditional Christianity.

It easy to view holiday visits as a time to confront the issues that might divide us.  Beware, sometimes it is better to just celebrate Christmas with them and let our actions deliver the message.  Here are some other things to keep mind.

Many Millennials like traditions.  That might especially be the case when it comes to Christmas rituals.  For those planning Christmas worship that means making sure you tell the Christmas Story from Luke 2, and sing Silent Night, preferably by candlelight.  For parents that means being careful not to make too many changes in the way the home is decorated or in the menu.

Christmas is not the time to confront them about past mistakes or poor choices.  Remember, Jesus provides the ultimate example of unconditional love.  Our Savior was very good at loving people where they were at and gently guiding them to where He wanted them to be. 

Make Christ the center of your Christmas.  The way you convey the “Christmas peace” through you actions might be the most powerful message they witness.

May the peace of the Christ Child dwell in your family and in your home during this Christmas season.