In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:1-9, 14
The Gospel of John does not include a story of the actual birth of Jesus. We hear the details of Mary’s pregnancy and the shepherds who came to visit the baby Jesus in the Gospel of Luke. We learn more from Joseph’s perspective and about the Magi who followed the star to Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew. But the book of John communicates much more poetically and theologically about the coming of Jesus.
Jesus is considered both “the Word” and “the Light.” The important point to know is God himself came down and became flesh in the person of Jesus. Jesus came to shine light in the dark places of our world and in each of our lives. He came to share grace and truth.
There is a man who was sent from God as a witness to testify to the light. John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus’ ministry. He called people into repentance and baptized them with water. He claimed there was someone else coming who was more powerful than he and who would baptize with the Holy Spirit.
John the Baptist was actually related to Jesus, as he was the son of Elizabeth and Zechariah. The young virgin Mary spent time with her older relative, Elizabeth, during her pregnancy. They both shared miraculous blessings in the births of their sons. From babies in the womb to the ministry of adult men, John would come ahead of Jesus, as God revealed this incredible message of hope to the world.
Advent is all about a time of preparation. It’s a time we can lean in to hear from God. John the Baptist called people into a deeper focus of their lives to get ready for Jesus. Advent calls us into a deeper focus of our lives to get ready for Jesus. Jesus comes with the most important message of truth of God’s grace for us. God’s love brings light into the darkness. Just like John the Baptist, there are people and situations that are leading you to draw closer to Jesus this season. This message of hope, love, and redemption is for each of us, every year and every day. We must prepare our hearts to get ready for the amazing work of Christ in our lives.
Amy Givens, Director of Youth Ministry
