John 1:1–14
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. – John 1:14
Click to read passage
Christmas Day has passed. The joyous songs and Christmas celebrations will soon quieten down, and life will return to its usual rhythms. But the message of Christmas doesn’t end on 25th December. John reminds us that what happened on the first Christmas is not just a historical event that has passed, but a reality that continues.
John begins far earlier than Bethlehem. He writes, “In the beginning was the Word.” Before the first Christmas, and even before Creation itself, Christ already existed. The child that was born in that humble and lowly manger, is the eternal Word through whom all things were made. Thus, the birth of Jesus was part of God’s plan right from the beginning.
“The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” This is the heart of Christmas. God did not remain far away, but He chose to enter fully into our humanity, with all of its weakness, messiness, and suffering. To “dwell” is literally to pitch a tent and to make His home among us. Even after Christmas Day is over, God has not packed up his tent and left us. He remains “God with us”, Emmanuel.
Yet John also tells us that not everyone received Him. The light shines, but it can be ignored. And so on this day, the day after Christmas, we have to ask ourselves an important question, “Am I receiving Him who entered into this world that He created?” To receive Him is to trust Him and to allow His light to shape how we live.
After Christmas, we may feel tired, empty, or dreading what lies ahead. But John reminds us that the gift that God gave us on Christmas Day is here to stay. Verse 16 tells us, “For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.” In Christ, we have the fullness of God with us and in us, a daily supply of grace that sustains us faithfully for each day beyond Christmas Day. As the music from the Christmas celebrations fades, the Word remains with us. The question before for us is whether we will continue to walk in His light.
Reflection:
In what ways might you be tempted to “move on” from Christmas too quickly? What would it look like for you after Christmas Day, to receive Him daily in your life?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, eternal Word made flesh, thank You for coming to us in our darkness and bringing us Your light to dwell with us. As we carry on from the Christmas celebrations, help us to continue walking in Your light, relying on Your grace each day to live as children of God. We pray this in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
Click to read passage
Christmas Day has passed. The joyous songs and Christmas celebrations will soon quieten down, and life will return to its usual rhythms. But the message of Christmas doesn’t end on 25th December. John reminds us that what happened on the first Christmas is not just a historical event that has passed, but a reality that continues.
John begins far earlier than Bethlehem. He writes, “In the beginning was the Word.” Before the first Christmas, and even before Creation itself, Christ already existed. The child that was born in that humble and lowly manger, is the eternal Word through whom all things were made. Thus, the birth of Jesus was part of God’s plan right from the beginning.
“The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” This is the heart of Christmas. God did not remain far away, but He chose to enter fully into our humanity, with all of its weakness, messiness, and suffering. To “dwell” is literally to pitch a tent and to make His home among us. Even after Christmas Day is over, God has not packed up his tent and left us. He remains “God with us”, Emmanuel.
Yet John also tells us that not everyone received Him. The light shines, but it can be ignored. And so on this day, the day after Christmas, we have to ask ourselves an important question, “Am I receiving Him who entered into this world that He created?” To receive Him is to trust Him and to allow His light to shape how we live.
After Christmas, we may feel tired, empty, or dreading what lies ahead. But John reminds us that the gift that God gave us on Christmas Day is here to stay. Verse 16 tells us, “For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.” In Christ, we have the fullness of God with us and in us, a daily supply of grace that sustains us faithfully for each day beyond Christmas Day. As the music from the Christmas celebrations fades, the Word remains with us. The question before for us is whether we will continue to walk in His light.
Reflection:
In what ways might you be tempted to “move on” from Christmas too quickly? What would it look like for you after Christmas Day, to receive Him daily in your life?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, eternal Word made flesh, thank You for coming to us in our darkness and bringing us Your light to dwell with us. As we carry on from the Christmas celebrations, help us to continue walking in Your light, relying on Your grace each day to live as children of God. We pray this in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.