Today, as we celebrate the feast of Saint John the Evangelist, we find ourselves two days after the joyous occasion of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ—a birth that stands at the very heart of our faith as Christians. Saint John, often referred to as "the Beloved disciple," gives us profound insights into the significance of this birth and the identity of Jesus, who is indeed God made flesh.
In our first reading, Saint John begins his letter with an astounding declaration: "What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we looked upon and touched with our hands concerning the Word of life." Here, John not only recalls the tangible and personal experience of encountering Jesus but emphasizes the reality of Jesus' divinity. He speaks of the "Word of life"—a title that directly connects to his gospel, where he writes, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (John 1:1). At Christmas, we celebrate this Word becoming flesh, a miraculous event that invites us to reflect on who Jesus truly is. He is not merely a great teacher or a prophet; He is the very essence of life, the divine made visible among us.
John articulates, "the life was made visible." In the Nativity, we do not just celebrate the physical birth of a child; we celebrate the manifestation of God’s love and presence in our world in tangible form. Through His Word made flesh, God enters our history—not as an abstract concept, but as a person with whom we can relate. This is what God desires above all else, a genuine relationship with us. He didn’t just create us and let us be and fend for ourselves but he wants us to know that he loves us. This is why John calls himself “the beloved” disciple—not because others aren’t beloved but because he wanted us to see ourselves in his place for we are all “the beloved disciple” which he says the birth of Christ ratified before their very eyes.
John assures us that through this fellowship with Jesus and the Father, our joy may be complete. Our relationship with Jesus is intended to be vibrant and life-giving—a source of indescribable joy that comes from knowing we are loved by God.
As we contemplate the mystery of Christ’s birth and the revelation of God among us, we are called to respond with joy. The Lord indeed reigns, and the heavens proclaim His justice. Our faith is not meant to be a heavy burden; it is a source of gladness and light that illuminates our lives. We are taught to detach from things that do us harm and embrace rather those things that open our hearts and souls to God and to each other.
The Gospel reading further deepens our understanding of John’s relationship with Jesus. In the account of the Resurrection, John runs to the tomb, filled with both confusion and hope. Upon entering, he "saw and believed." The act of seeing here is pivotal; it signifies a recognition and acceptance of Jesus’ true identity—not just as the one who was crucified, but as the risen God who has conquered death. This moment encapsulates what it means to believe: to see the reality of Christ’s presence in our lives post-resurrection, much like we celebrate His coming into the world in Bethlehem.
So, what does Saint John—the Beloved disciple—tell us about Jesus and His birth? He invites us into a deeper, more authentic relationship with Him. This relationship is rooted in experience, love, and a profound understanding of who Jesus is: the Word made flesh, the eternal life, and our Savior.
Let our hearts rejoice, for today we are reminded that God did not hesitate to make Himself known to us. He chose to be born, to share in our humanity, and ultimately to lead us into eternal communion with Him.
May the joy of Christmas—a joy that reflects the deeper reality of God’s love—reside within us, pushing us to share that light with others. This is the essence of Saint John’s message: to rejoice in the truth of Jesus’ birth and to live out our faith as witnesses to that truth.
Amen.
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