As the season of Christmas reflects Jesus’ coming, it is only right that we would hear John’s version of the arrival. John, however, goes about it in a somewhat unusual way. Rather than tell us a story of how things came to be, John explains why things came to be.
We tell our stories because they tell something about us. In group session, we looked at words in this lesson that were used to describe Jesus and were struck by the thought that Jesus would be unknown. Have you ever been unknown? Arriving at a new school is a common experience. If no one knows who you are, then how will you be known? Often it is done by telling our life stories, the stories of how we got here.
What may be missing are the stories of why we came to a place, because those stories are much more intimate. Perhaps this is why John began this gospel in such a way, to remind us from the very beginning that what we are about to read and experience is very intimate. We are reminded that we are known to God, chosen to be in an intimate relationship, something made possible due to Jesus’ arrival on earth.
Praise to you, Lord, for choosing to be close to me. Amen. —