Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: December 31, 2024

Date: the 7th Day in the Octave of Christmas

Scripture Text: John 1:1-18

In the beginning was the Word,

and the Word was with God,

and the Word was God.

He was in the beginning with God.

All things came to be through him,

and without him nothing came to be.

What came to be through him was life,

and this life was the light of the human race;

the light shines in the darkness,

and the darkness has not overcome it.

A man named John was sent from God.

He came for testimony, to testify to the light,

so that all might believe through him.

He was not the light,

but came to testify to the light.

The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.

He was in the world,

and the world came to be through him,

but the world did not know him.

He came to what was his own,

but his own people did not accept him.

But to those who did accept him

he gave power to become children of God,

to those who believe in his name,

who were born not by natural generation

nor by human choice nor by a man’s decision

but of God.

And the Word became flesh

and made his dwelling among us,

and we saw his glory,

the glory as of the Father’s only-begotten Son,

full of grace and truth.

John testified to him and cried out, saying,

“This was he of whom I said,

‘The one who is coming after me ranks ahead of me

because he existed before me.’”

From his fullness we have all received,

grace in place of grace,

because while the law was given through Moses,

grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

No one has ever seen God.

The only-begotten Son, God, who is at the Father’s side,

has revealed him.

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

The gospel for today from the evangelist John gives testimony to Christ’s divine nature and His presence among us. John reminds us that while Christ was with us, many did not recognize or accept Him as the Son of our living LORD who came among us to reveal the Father’s love for us and to win salvation from the Father, through Him, in the Spirit.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

Do I accept Jesus Christ as Son of God and Savior? Do I look to Christ through prayer and the scriptures for the fullness of grace available only through life in Him?

Praying:

LORD, Almighty Father, You sent your only-begotten Son to bring salvation for humanity by dwelling among us, revealing your great love for us, and selflessly and obediently offering himself as the atoning sacrifice for our sins. During this season of remembrance and celebration of your gift of your Son, let us not forget the reason for the gift, our need for a savior. Send your Spirit to stir within us your Son’s light and love so that we might more fully draw upon them as we seek to live as your daughters and sons and as disciples of Christ. We ask this in the name of your beloved Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Spirit, one LORD, forever and ever. Amen.