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John 1:9-14

The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Reflect

The awe of it all! The Word made flesh, like some comet crashing into our world, revealed to those willing to receive. The magi in their observatories with centuries of archives in Babylon, saw it first. That great “star” in the East. Babylon at time, part of the Persian Empire, was home to the great observatory of the heavens, to those magi in cosmopolitan Babylon and to their Jewish scholar associates, there since the captivity. They must have been bursting with news to these friends about portents in the heavens. What was the meaning of this new light in the East? Could it be fulfillment of Jewish scriptures of Messiah coming? The magi followed the light to Jerusalem, to Herod telling him of the light, then to Bethlehem to worship and to bow down. Herod must have seen the light, and its significance, but it threatened his personal selfish ambitions. Are we also blind to that wonder that is before us? Does it interfere with personal plans? Willful blindness?

John tells us the world did not recognize Him. Do we? Does the light shine on us, when He comes to fix our lives, our relationships? Not received by his own chosen, do we receive Him? His light? His scrutiny? Do we receive this gift, this Person, Lord Jesus, not by self-will, but by submission to him as Lord in our hearts? Do we accept ourselves as adopted children, a gift in the Babe?

Oh, the glory of it all! A Babe in a manger, announced by a hurtling comet/star, but coming to us physically through the virgin’s womb! The Babe, “full of truth and grace” to all who believe and accept. As for me and my family, we bow down and worship! A Babe, a Word, a Light!

Pray

Oh Lord let us bow down, submit to you, Lord of the universe, that Second Person, that Light, that Word, that Babe Jesus come to save a suffering, lost world, to fill us with hope until You come again.

Bill Cale