Holy Nights: Advent Through John

Day 1 of 41: The First Day of Advent

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.
He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.
And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth. (John testified to him and cried out, ‘This was he of whom I said, “He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me.”’) From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father’s heart, who has made him known.”
-John 1:1-18 (NRSV)

Today marks the first day of Advent, a season in some Christian traditions to prepare for the celebration of the birth of Jesus, Christmas. Advent is a time to get ready for the celebration of the incarnation. Christmas is a twelve day season, running from Christmas Day to Epiphany (which is why there is that song and 12 socks of Christmas boxes).

Each of the gospel writers deal with the beginning of Jesus’s life differently. Mark ignores it completely, and begins with Jesus’s baptism and ministry. Matthew and Luke both tell the stories that we are used to of Bethlehem and a stable (though we combine these two stories and add a lot to them). They also include genealogies, linking Jesus to David through both Mary and Joseph. John’s gospel; however, does start the story of Jesus’ ministry with his Baptism like Mark, but precedes that story with a sweeping poetic declaration of Jesus’ beginning. This poem uses imagery of Word, and Light to talk about the incarnation. There are poetic allusions to God’s covenant with the Jewish people, as well as humanity in general. Each day through the seasons of Advent (November 27-December 24) and Christmas (December 25-January 6) we will look at this beautiful introduction one clause and thought at a time. Together we will reflect on the incarnation of Jesus of Nazareth.

Each devotion will begin with a short scripture passage, a reflection written by myself or Julie Hebert (who was my Christian Education Leader at the time that this devotion was first written), a prayer, and an optional extra credit reading assignment to go a little deeper. Join me in this journey.

God who becomes flesh

who lives among us

who is yet coming into the world.

Fill us with your presence. Amen.

Written by Aaron Ochart

Aaron Ochart & Julie Hebert

Day 1 of 41: The First Day of Advent

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