Probably one of my most favorite passages in all of the Bible.
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.
9 The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’”) 16 For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known (John 1:1-18, ESV).
Two things in this passage should create joy in the hearts of all mankind. First and most obvious is that the word became flesh (v. 14). The incarnation of our Lord and Savior is vital because without it there is no atonement of the cross of Christ and there is no resurrection providing us justification before God and the defeat of death. The second is that to all who receive Him and believe in Him, He gives the right to become children of God. "To all" that means everyone of every race, color or creed.
Merry Christmas to everyone and while this is not the day on which Christ was officially born, it is the day on which we observe the sacred day of His birth. So, enjoy the pagan part of the holiday with cheer and joy of the season, but let us not forget the incarnation of the Word.
