John 1:(1-9), 10-18
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 [people], 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.
As we reflect on the Gospel of John we are reminded that this gospel is different from the first three in the New Testament. John’s gospel is called the spiritual gospel because it tells the story of Jesus symbolically, in ways that draw us inward into the light that is in each of us and that is God itself.
On this Second Sunday After Christmas, the first Sunday of the New Year, we observe the first New Moon of the year. This is a time for spiritual renewal. A time to recharge and prepare for all that is to come. Just as a new moon represents the start of a new lunar cycle, so it also symbolizes new beginnings. Jesus has come into the world as the true light of God. At this very moment, we must ask ourselves the questions: “How do I plan to start this new year?” “What do I plan to manifest with intention and love moving forward?” Even though we are born with the light of God, we must intentionally grow toward that light and use our energy to reach toward our goals even as we continue to set ourselves new ones. We do this knowing that our behavior and choices directly impact the people and environment around us.
Give yourself a gift today and listen to Louis Armstrong’s beautiful song “When You’re Smiling (The Whole World Smiles with You).” This is a wonderful way to give tribute to the “grace upon grace” in the Gospel of John on this Second Sunday after Christmas. And look for the light because next week is Epiphany!
SONG OF PRAYER
This little light of mine
I’m going to let it shine
Oh, this little light of mine
I’m going to let it shine
This little light of mine
I’m going to let it shine
Let it shine, all the time, let it shine
These word give me direction and focus on the first day of 2022.