Reflections at Christmas I

John 1:1a, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

We’ve all been there before - yearning for a word that changes and transforms, that encourages and brings hope to our relationships, our circumstances, ourselves. It can’t be just any word. We want it to be specific, intentional, and well-thought-out. A word that, like music, causes us to ascend to a peaceful, holy place, where our spirits are at rest, and all is well with our soul. How beautiful, then, that we worship such an awe-inspiring God.

Before you and I ever were, the Word was - existent and held in the arms of God. The Word that both creates and communicates; the Word that profoundly transforms us and fills the void of our hearts and the longing of our souls. That Word, which gives definition and meaning to our lives, was present long before we ever needed to draw upon it. And that intangible Word was already working on our behalf: available, waiting, and willing. Before our minds were able to form the question, the Word provided our answer. The Word was God, gloriously manifested.

This Word that stands in the heavenlies and cannot be shaken. It is an eternal Word that speaks life over us, bringing stability and peace amid the turmoil. It is not a harsh Word, but one of Good News of great joy for everyone. It is timeless, unchanging, and inerrant. Yes, in the beginning was the Word, and this same Word is present today, speaking to you. Are you listening?