It is almost Christmas. I hope your hearts are light as you await this celebration of Jesus’ first arrival on earth.   

Especially during this time of year, I love to read the Gospel of John’s record of Jesus coming to live with us:

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God; all things were made through Him, and without Him was not anything made that was made. In Him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. … And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth; we have beheld His glory, glory as of the only-begotten Son from the Father.” John 1: 1-5; 14

This Gospel is based on the memories of Jesus’ apostle, John. I imagine John with tears in his eyes as he recounts the life and teachings of his beloved friend, Jesus. The miracle of Jesus coming down from Heaven – His humble birth and life, His ministry, His death and His resurrection – is almost too much, frankly, for the human mind to comprehend.

A sense of loving wonder and mystery fills the pages of John’s Gospel. As I mull the events over and over in my mind, I realize that this is where the heart steps in, guided by the Holy Spirit, to help me to understand and trust in the amazing grace and mercy we have been given, through Christ.

I am filled with hope.

May your hearts also be filled with hope, as you read this beautiful Gospel.

Where there is hope, there is everything.

Christmas is coming.