The Fourth Sunday of Advent (GA)

John 1:1-14

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ² He was in the beginning with God. ³ All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. ⁴ In him was life, and the life was the light of men. ⁵ The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

⁶ There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. ⁷He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. ⁸ He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.

⁹ The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. ¹⁰ He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. ¹¹ He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. ¹² But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, ¹³ who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

¹⁴ And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

It just plain does not make sense. How can God be with God? How can the Son of the Father be of the same substance as the Father? How can the Father not be greater than the Son? How can the Son only become flesh? How does all this make sense?

The Word of God is made flesh and dwells among us. The Word of God proclaims both Law and good news. The Law must not change and is by which all things are judged. The Word of God dies in order to fulfill what is written in the Law. The Light of the World is snuffed out so that the Light can shine in you.

“In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” The darkness did kill it. But the light still shines today. The light shines and is the life of all men. Jesus proclaims that he is none other than the Light of the World, the way, the truth and the life. He is our everlasting savior.

This still does not seem to make much more sense. Again it is very simply. You are filled with darkness. God is Light. God allows Jesus to die for your darkness. Jesus offers you his Light. Jesus gives you his life. God claims you to be his very own. God loves you. Blessed Advent.