The Word Became Flesh

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,[a] 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.

Prayer

Almighty God, 

Give us reverence for all creation

And respect for every person,

That we may mirror your likeness

In Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

Some thoughts

Many years ago, before modern cameras, there were cameras with film in them. Perhaps some of you still have one. Perhaps some of you have been glad to forget them. I remember growing up with those cameras and also a time when I would develop my own photographs. There were bottles of developer and fixer, an enlarger, there was a time of loading the film, processing the film, looking at the negatives, deciding which to print. So many parts of the process. Most of all there was the darkroom. I remember setting up a darkroom in my house. It took quite a time before I was satisfied with it. Doors, dark curtains, drawing pins,everything to stop chinks of light getting in, because even the smallest leak of light could make the process a failure.

I am reminded of the words in our reading, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.”

Light is powerful, a small candle can change the darkest room.

This last year has been a time of darkness, a time when many have been short of hope, a time when some have felt like giving up.

Jesus is there for us in the darkness, a light to lighten the way for us. A presence at our side. The light that the darkness never overcomes. There for each one of us, no matter what. 

In the words of the song sung by Captain Tom Moore, “Walk on with hope in your heart and you’ll never walk alone.”