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John 1:1-5 (CEB)

In the beginning was the Word
    and the Word was with God
    and the Word was God.
The Word was with God in the beginning.
Everything came into being through the Word,
    and without the Word
    nothing came into being.
What came into being
    through the Word was life,
    and the life was the light for all people.
The light shines in the darkness,
    and the darkness doesn’t extinguish the light.


Reflection

“In the beginning.” These verses are so familiar, filled with beautiful poetry and heavy with the weight of truth and of God’s great love for us.  These verses remind us of the creation story in Genesis. How God created heaven and earth, spoke and there was light and life. What we didn’t know was that even before the universe was created, before all time began, Jesus was there from the very beginning.

Jesus is the Word that God revealed to us, creating life, bringing light and salvation. Jesus is the light of the world. Once we were children lost in sin and darkness, and we could not find our way. God loved us so much, that God sent Jesus, our Emmanuel-(God with us), who loved us and died for us. Jesus redeemed us from the darkness and now we are children of the eternal light, the light of salvation that no darkness will ever extinguish.

As children of God, we have the light of Christ in our lives and are inspired to go into the world and share the light. We are sharers of the light. We can tell everyone the story of what God has done for us through Jesus, how God makes all things new, how God brings new life to each of us.

For many of us, life may seem very dark this holiday season. We may feel broken. But there is a way out of darkness, we can follow the light that is Jesus. Our lives can be the mirrors that reflect the eternal light of the love of God. Even if we feel broken, our broken pieces can still reflect the light and the love of God to others.

By Jeneene Reduker


For Pondering & Prayer

How can you reflect the light and love of God to someone today? Look around you. Who do you see that needs to hear that God loves them? Be a light sharer and share with them the good news of Jesus.

Prayer: Holy God, you sent Jesus to be our light and salvation. When all was darkness you spoke your word and brought forth your eternal light of salvation and new life for the world. Remind us, always to share the good news of Jesus, to share your light, and be the reflection of your love. Amen.