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.
John 1:14
This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth.
1 John 1:1-6
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December 25, 2025
Merry Christmas! Earlier this month, during the dark weeks of Advent, we waited in wonder and expectation. Now, today, we celebrate the incredible mystery of the incarnation: God with us.
We light candles during Advent to declare that light is coming into the darkness. As the author of 1 John wrote: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. When God came to earth, when God was born, the light of the world came into our darkness. The One who was from the beginning, the transcendent, eternal, all-powerful God—we have seen Him with our eyes! We have touched Him with our hands!
I was not alive 2000 years ago to touch the light of the world, God-made-flesh with my hands (can you imagine it?). But I have the testimony those men and women recorded, testified, and proclaimed. Indeed, as the author of 1 John says, they recorded it for you and me, for those who would come after, so that we could have fellowship with the Father and the Son, and with all who believe in His name.
In the Christmas story, we attempt to grapple with the most unbelievable truth: God came near to us. God moved into the neighborhood and pitched His tent. God longs to be in communication, communion, with us.
As you celebrate Christmas today, receive this gift, made most clear in the incarnation: God is here.
Questions for reflection and discussion:
- Where do you need God’s light to overcome the darkness?
- What does it mean that God is light and in Him there is no darkness at all?
- Spend some time re-reading the Scripture and meditating on this joyful wonder.
Church Reading Plan: 2 Chronicles 30; Revelation 16