Monday November 27, 2023

Today is Monday, November 27 and we are studying what the Bible says about the Incarnation.

As I enter this time of prayer, I still my mind, slow my breath and draw my heart near to God. As Christmas approaches, I prepare my soul and wait for the coming of my Lord Jesus with quiet anticipation.

Pause and Pray

Holy and loving God, I come here to listen for your voice speaking to me from the sacred words of the Holy Bible. Remind me of the truth of the Incarnation of Jesus Christ and the miracle of your Word made flesh for the salvation of the world. Amen.

I praise God and seek his eternal truth in the ancient words of the prophet Jeremiah.

The days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will fulfill the good promise I made to the people of Israel and Judah. In those days and at that time I will make a righteous Branch sprout from David’s line; he will do what is just and right in the land. Jeremiah 33:14-15

Pause and Pray

Now that Thanksgiving has passed, it is time to prepare for the Christmas celebration. A season of hustle and bustle, laughter and joy, wonder and surprise awaits us once again. It is a sacred season when we draw near to God and prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ into our lives once again. When Christmas arrives it is important for us to realize that Christ is here! He is Emmanuel, God with us. He came into this world to be with us, dwell with us and save us. We begin the study of the Incarnation with the prologue to the Gospel of John.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:1-5

John begins his Gospel at an earlier point in the story of Jesus than the synoptic Gospels – Matthew, Mark and Luke. John starts the story at the beginning of all things. Jesus was the divine Logos, the Word that was with God and was God, preexistent from the dawn of time. This Logos or Word entered the human story. The divine Jesus, one with God and part of the Holy Trinity, came in person. In Christ is life – the life that is the light of humanity. The light of Jesus shines in the darkness and the darkness has not and will not overcome it.

Ask: How do I understand the concept of the Trinity – Father, Son and Holy Spirit? How does the preexistence of Christ inform my understanding of his divinity?

Pause and Pray

Lord Jesus, you are here. Thank you for shining your light in the darkness of my heart and bringing hope to a broken world. Give me a fresh understanding of your love this Christmas season and fill me with the love, joy and peace that comes from a relationship with you. I read the words from John again and listen for the message you have for me.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:1-5

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

God endeavors to speak to me through the words of Holy Scripture and I am learning to listen. I consider how today’s passage informs my current circumstances. John’s prologue helps me reflect on who Christ is and what his Incarnation means for the world and for me. I consider the darkness I see around me each day. The daily news abounds with accounts of violence, war, hatred, greed, injustice and evil. Christ continues to be the light that shines in the darkness of our broken world. I consider how I might invite the Light of Christ to shine in me.

Pause and Pray

Come, Lord Jesus, shine your light on the dark places of my heart. Enlighten my mind and lift my spirits. Where there is grief, bring healing. Where there is sorrow, bring hope. Where there is fear, bring peace. Where there is loneliness, bring companionship. Light of the World, shine your love. Amen.

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12

I leave this time of prayer to follow the Light of the world. I lift high the cross and shine his light in places of darkness.

Amen