John’s Gospel does not contain the Nativity narratives found in Luke and Matthew, but does focus on Jesus as the Word of God and the Creator of everything. In the first chapter, we read ‘The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.‘ (John 1:5) Alternative versions translate ‘overcome’ as ‘understood‘.
The world does not understand Jesus, and consequently does not understand Christmas. It focuses on parts it can understand (presents, celebration), but remains oblivious to the sacrifice and humility inherent in the Incarnation. As today’s song says, ‘You shone upon the Earth, but who will understand? You come unto Your own, but who will recognise?’ Let’s focus on John 1 amongst all the traditional nativity stories and reflect on Jesus our Creator who became flesh and made His dwelling among us. (John 1:14)
‘Oh Jesus, Son of God, so full of grace and truth
The Father’s saving word, so wonderful are You
The angels longed to see and prophets searched to find
The glory we have seen revealed
You shone upon the Earth but who will understand?
You came unto Your own but who will recognise?
Your birth was prophesied, for You were the Messiah
Who came and walked upon the Earth
Your glory we have seen, the one and only King
And now You’re living in our hearts
Light of the world, light of the world
Light of the world, You shine upon us
Light of the world, light of the world
Light of the world, You shine upon us
In You all things were made and nothing without You
In Heaven and on Earth all things are held in You
And yet You became flesh, living as one of us
Under the shadow of the cross
Where, through the blood You shed
You have made peace again
Peace for the world that God so loves
And yet You became flesh, living as one of us
Under the shadow of the cross
Where, through the blood you shed
You have made peace again
Peace for the world that God so loves
Light of the world, light of the world
Light of the world, You shine upon us
Light of the world, light of the world
Light of the world, You shine upon us.’ (‘Light Of the World’, Chris Tomlin & Matt Redman)