12-20-20 Sermon Notes “Christ, Light of the World, Word of God, Lord”
What we have in the first chapter of John is a different way of looking at the Christmas Story. We don’t see anything about Caesar Augustus making a decree that all the world should be taxed. We don’t see anything about Mary and Joseph travelling to Bethlehem. There is no mention of the “Inn” and there being no room for them there. You won’t find a stable or a manger or a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes. You won’t find angels or shepherds. There is no star – no wise men. Here’s what you get instead:
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being 4 in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.
9 The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.
10 He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. 12 But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.
14 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 1: 1-5, 9-14 NRSV)
We have to admit…it would be hard to do a Christmas play based on John’s Gospel! But – the Christmas Story is about more than just what is happening in a manger in Bethlehem. It is about what is happening for the whole world! Into a world of darkness, Christ the Light has come. The very Word of God takes on human flesh and lived among us! And finally, Christ alone can claim the title, “Lord!”
Join us online or in-person as we worship Christ the Lord, Light of the World, Word of God this Sunday!
Grace and peace,
Pastor Sam