The Rev. Charissa Howe ‘14, Pastor, Liberty Presbyterian Church, Liberty, Pa.

Scripture

John 1:1-14

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 came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being 4 in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.

6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. 8 He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. 9 The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.

10 He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. 12 But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.

14 And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.

Devotional

Today will be a full day for many of us. Between the rush of Christmas Eve services last night and the flurry of wrapping paper and dirty dishes this morning, it can be quite easy to lose our spiritual mooring on such a physically busy day. But it is also not entirely appropriate to forgo the flurry of physical activity and life for the sake of pious reflection. The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. Today is a remembrance of the day that God crashed down into history as a human person right here on this planet in order to be with us. God did not separate the spiritual from the physical when joining us here on Earth. Today as you enjoy good meals and embrace your family, let those things be a reminder of the very earthly, physical presence of the Word in our midst—Jesus Christ the one we celebrate on this holiest of days.

Prayer

Almighty God, to you we give all the glory. Help us to see your Word today in all that surrounds us. Let the celebrations today be not a distraction but a reminder of the tangible way you have entered our lives. Amen.

The Rev. Charissa Howe ‘14, Pastor, Liberty Presbyterian Church, Liberty, Pa.

Scripture

John 1:1-14

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 came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being 4 in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.

6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. 8 He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. 9 The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.

10 He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. 12 But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.

14 And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.

Devotional

Today will be a full day for many of us. Between the rush of Christmas Eve services last night and the flurry of wrapping paper and dirty dishes this morning, it can be quite easy to lose our spiritual mooring on such a physically busy day. But it is also not entirely appropriate to forgo the flurry of physical activity and life for the sake of pious reflection. The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. Today is a remembrance of the day that God crashed down into history as a human person right here on this planet in order to be with us. God did not separate the spiritual from the physical when joining us here on Earth. Today as you enjoy good meals and embrace your family, let those things be a reminder of the very earthly, physical presence of the Word in our midst—Jesus Christ the one we celebrate on this holiest of days.

Prayer

Almighty God, to you we give all the glory. Help us to see your Word today in all that surrounds us. Let the celebrations today be not a distraction but a reminder of the tangible way you have entered our lives. Amen.