Monday Morning
+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
Opening (Collect for Purity)
Almighty God: to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid; cleanse the thoughts of my heart through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, that I may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy name, through Christ my Lord. Amen.
__________
Morning Reading – John 1:1-8 (NLT)
Prologue: Christ, the Eternal Word
In the beginning the Word already existed.
The Word was with God, and the Word was God.
He existed in the beginning with God.
God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him.
The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone.
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.
God sent a man, John the Baptist, to tell about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony. John himself was not the light; he was simply a witness to tell about the light. The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.
He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.
So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.
John testified about him when he shouted to the crowds, “This is the one I was talking about when I said, ‘Someone is coming after me who is far greater than I am, for he existed long before me.’”
From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another. For the law was given through Moses, but God’s unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. But the unique One, who is himself God, is near to the Father’s heart. He has revealed God to us.
__________
Morning Reflection:
John’s Prologue is a perfect introduction to our 2019 reading through the New Testament. Why? Because it expands our understanding of who Jesus is and what it means to believe him and accept him. Here are some thoughts to ponder –
Creation – Jesus, the Word of God, has origins that go back to the beginning of time itself. He was not only with God in the beginning, but was God. And, apart from him, “not one thing came into being” (vs 3).
Revelation – Jesus, the Word of God, is the source of revelation and grace for all people everywhere: he is “the true light which enlightens everyone” (vs 9). Reflecting God’s glory, he is “full of grace and truth” (vs 14, 18).
Rejection – Jesus, the Word of God, was tragically rejected by his own world and the people he created. “The world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him” (vs 11).
Incarnation – Jesus, the Word of God, became a human being and lived among and within humanity: “and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (vs 14). The barrier between the divine and human realms were breached to a degree never before realized.
Blessing – Jesus, the Word of God, is the conduit of God’s mercy and truth that now flow in measures never possible before: “from his fullness, we receive grace upon grace” (vs 16).
Question: Do I believe Jesus and accept him as the Gospel of John presents him – the eternal Word of God? How is God speaking to you today?
To all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn — not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God. (vs 12-13)
__________
Morning Prayer:
Heavenly Father: It’s hard for me to wrap my mind around the wonder and mystery of Christmas – the child Jesus born in a manger is the Divine Word that spoke all of creation into being. Reveal to me your grace and truth, your unfailing love and faithfulness, throughout the coming year. And show me how to live as a reborn child of God, through Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior, in whose name I pray. Amen.
__________
“Christ Be All Around Me” – All Sons & Daughters
__________
Closing:
May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, and protect you through the storm. May He bring you home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown you. May He bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.
+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
The Peanut Gallery 