A Christmas for New Beginnings (Day 5)
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 nothing was made that was made. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. ~ John 1:1-4.
Have you ever longed for a new beginning? There are times in life that we need a fresh start. December is a busy month as we know, but many people take time at the end of the year to reflect on the last 12 months. Then January arrives with hope for a fresh start and new beginnings. Did you know the hope for a fresh start is actually grounded in Christmas with the birth of Jesus?
Chapter 1 of John’s Gospel is often read during Advent/Christmas services. John opens in a unique style compared with the other Gospels. He offers no mention of baby Jesus and the manger but gives a different backdrop to Jesus’ life. We encounter this term “the Word” discovering that “the Word” was there in the beginning, and was with God, and the Word was God. “The Word” is one of the titles/names for Jesus who is the Living Word. The Bible is the “word” of God with a small “w” and Jesus is the capital “W” kind of “Word.”
A Word is a spoken or written form of communication that conveys meaning, expresses one’s desires, and helps someone self-disclose to others. The book of Proverbs tells us that words have
power to bring life or death (Proverbs 18:21). In creation, God spoke (communication by Words) and creation came forth – light, stars, land, animals, etc. The very words of the Divine Creator have the power to create and bring forth light and life.
Speaking of Words, did you notice John opens his Gospel with the same words that open up the Bible – “In the beginning…” (Genesis 1:1 & John 1:1). Is that coincidence or Providence at work? No way that is an accident, but rather the hand of God. John is wanting us to reflect upon the creation story as he then calls Jesus the Word. God is telling us through John that, “Jesus was there when it all began. He was with God, and He is God.” Wait, there is more though. He is the Word – the One who releases the power of God’s creation (with just a Word), and the One who communicates and conveys God’s heart & desire to the world. The Lord is communicating way more than a mouthful through the opening ofJohn’s Gospel.
So you want a new beginning? John repeats the opening of Genesis (In the Beginning) in part to let us know that Jesus was there in the beginning to create and speak the world into existence. The invitation of the Gospel is that Jesus can bring a new Genesis – a new beginning – into our lives. Jesus has come to bring forth a “new creation” into the broken, empty hearts of humanity. You do not need to wait until the new year for a fresh start. The true gift of Christmas comes fully included with new beginnings for those who trust Christ. Are you ready for a new beginning this Christmas?
Questions for Reflection:
1. Have you experienced a new beginning through Jesus Christ? In what ways did He make you “new” and how did he provide a fresh start for your life?
2. Do you find yourself in need of a new “fresh start?” Can you trust and believe that Jesus is always ready to provide us a new beginning?
ACTIVATE:
Ask God for the opportunity to share with someone else how Jesus gave you a new beginning and made you a new creation. Be ready to share how Jesus can offer them this same hope and opportunity.