Check out all the previous Christmas readings here.
Christmas Reading Plan | Week 2 | Day 4
Prayer
Take a moment to be silent and still. In order to be fully present in body and mind, take a deep breath in and let it out slowly. Do this three times. Ask God to speak to you today through His word.
Bible Reading: John 1:1-14
Read these verses three times slowly.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.
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.
Reflection & Questions
Today we read the opening verses of John’s gospel. In fact, the first two verses are an incredible teaching about the Trinity. John calls Jesus “The Word.” Jesus was God but was also with God. To call Him “The Word” is a powerful message to say He not only comes with a message, but that He Himself is the message. Are we ready to sit up and listen to Him? Calling Jesus “The Word” also brings to mind what happened in creation when God spoke and whatever He said happened. “Let there be light and there was light.” John says Jesus was that Word powerfully creating something out of nothing; “without him nothing was made that has been made.”
This is the glory that Jesus had from before the beginning. Oneness with God. Creating everything. John is able to say “we have seen his glory.” How amazing! John was there when Jesus taught, performed miracles and when he was transfigured displaying His true glory. Yet, not everyone received Him as glorious. Mind Boggling is this statement of John: “though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him.”
The wonder of Christmas is that the glorious One “became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” The sadness of Christmas is so many don’t recognize Him nor give Him glory. But for those who do, we live in the fullness of His “grace and truth” and it is glorious.
- In this busy season, we can easily not take time with Jesus, to listen to Him, which is quite ironic. How can you guard your heart and make sure to listen to “The Word” this Christmas season?
- What word or phrase sticks out to you from these verses today? Talk to God about it.
Prayer
Talk to God in response to today’s reading.
Worship Song
You might use this song today to worship Jesus today:
Check out more Bible Reading Plans here.
Questions?
Ed Applegate
