“In the beginning was the Word…” this, for St John, is the Christmas story and it is set in the context of creation, “In the beginning…” Creation is not an event of the past but the ongoing life of God with His people. St John echoes and continues the Genesis story of creation, “In the beginning God said, ‘Let there be…’ and there was….” Land, sky, vegetation, living creatures from the water, birds of the air, living creatures from the earth, and people made in the image and likeness of God. Christmas is God continuing to give life to His people. “And the Word became flesh and lived among us…” Christmas, says St Gregory of Nyssa, is the “feast of re-creation.” It is God giving His own life to His people. This feast of re-creation is God’s celebration of humanity. It is God entrusting Himself to us.
“…and the Word became flesh and lived among us.” The Word became flesh and has never ceased living among us. The Word became flesh and will never cease living among us. So make way, wherever you go, whatever you are doing, whoever you are with. Make way for the image of God. Why not ‘Christmas’ your way through life!
…and dwells among us!
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