In the beginning…
John begins his Gospel of Jesus Christ with the same words that start the creation account of Genesis. “In the beginning”.  It’s no accident, of course. The same Son of God who was there in the beginning is the one who comes in the flesh to save us born at Christmas. Yet, Bethlehem is not His beginning, nor even is the womb of Mary. The origins of Jesus Christ are from of old, even, from before the beginning.

What was at the beginning? Secular Quantum physicists have tried to reason out and discover the secrets of the universe. They examine how the smallest particles that make up our world might fit together. Using their intellect, they’ve come to the conclusion that everything had a beginning, but not by the will of an intelligent Divine creator, but by chance at the Big Bang. There and then, they believe, everything started with an explosion and all matter spread out from a single point. Of course, this is from their own fantastic theory. No one was there to see it. When pressed, even they admit their best theories break down into absurdity when pushed to the limit. Time itself becomes meaningless as they begin to speak of billions and trillions of years.

That’s their word on the subject. But we Christians have another word about the beginning, and that Word is Christ. He was with God in the beginning, for He is God. All things, therefore, begin with Him. By Him all things were made. Nothing exists that wasn’t created through Him. Not even smarty-pants physicists. Not even you or me.  

That this Baby born in Bethlehem is the Creator of all things is not something to lightly pass over. The ultimate being, the holder of all reality, God of gods, Lord of Lords, Eternal, all-knowing and all-powerful would bring Himself down to come down, to be one of us, to be conceived and born, born in the most usual way we humans are. He of such glory and majesty that even to look on Him before was surely death, but now He’s a baby and everything that it means – crying, needing his mother, making dirty diapers and all. God of the universe, here in time, for you. The one from before the beginning, now makes His fleshly beginning as one of us. Wonder for a moment at that.

John calls Him the “Word”, the “Logos” (in the Greek). How can a word be alive? How can a word be eternal? How can all things depend on this word?

In our everyday experience, words can mean very little or be tainted with sinful intent. You say something, but you don’t mean it. You hear words like advertisements. The latest words of politicians. The store checker trying to sign you up for their credit card. None of these words mean all that much. Gimmicks. Words to lie and lead and take advantage of people. But they are the words of man.

So often we use words in a negative way. We say things that aren’t true. We make promises that we know we won’t or can’t keep. We curse, swear, lie and deceive. We tear others down while acting like it is for their good. Our words are so often poisonous, bubbling out of the polluted heart and doing nothing but spreading the chaos of sin and death. We must confess with our unclean lips, that we are ruined if not for the saving Word of Christ, the very living Word of God.

The Word of God is wonderfully different. This word is creative. It made all things. This Word is powerful and has the authority of God. The Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two edged sword. It cuts away the lies and false words of pride and self-justification with the law’s accusations, but it also severs us from guilt and shame by the Good News of Jesus Christ. The Word of God is eternal: none of His words will pass away even though the heavens and the earth will. This Word stands alone.

Jesus Christ is that living Word. This is John’s Christmas account: a more theological word of explanation of the events of Luke 2. It explains the meaning of the incarnation. In Jesus Christ, God became flesh. There in the manger, the silent Word is pleading for us. There in the manger, the Word that one day will be pierced by nails and spear, has come to speak the word of comfort.

In Him was life and that life was the light of men… Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh, is both Life and Light. He is the source of all Life, since by Him all things were made. He is the Light of Lights, from whom even the first light shone.

“Life” mystifies the scientists and philosophers. It’s hard to define, and far harder to explain. They madly search for life on other planets, yet do not value human life here on earth. Those steeped in Darwin’s theories of evolution cannot grasp any explanations for life’s origin and purpose. Is life so complex? Where did this information tattooed on the cells of each being come from? DNA, RNA, microscopic systems that exceed the most cutting edge technology we can design. Life, which is designed to overcome obstacles and seems adapted for every challenge to its existence. Life in all of its wonderful variety yet miraculous order. Human life is in a category of its own. A PhD in biology won’t even scratch the surface of the mysteries of life. But we Christians know from whence life comes. It is from Him, the ever-living one. Life was in Him, from the beginning. The life that is the light of men. And all life and light is found in Him, even today.

But the fulfillment of life is not where we “live”, in our sinful nature in this fallen creation. The First Adam brought death because of sin. It broke God’s design. Therefore, every new life here on earth has a beginning but a tragic end: in death. We sinners know little of life, but we are well acquainted with death. We see it all around us and we fear its effects creeping in on us. We hear of this shooting and that cancer. Though we often speak of death in whispers, or hide it in hospitals, or try to sanitize it with euphemisms like “pass away” or “no longer with us”, still it exists.  We know well the wages of our sin.  It’s like a dark cloud that follows us everywhere and eventually swallows us up.  

But Christ is the life. And He brings that life to us through His death. But He is so much life, that death cannot hold Him. Risen from the dead, He gives life to all who believe on His name. He gives them the same life, making them, making us: children of God. We’re in the family. We’re of shared blood. Not of regular flesh and blood, but born of God. Because He was born of flesh and blood, for us. He has poured that blood out from the cross as a sacrifice that now covers us in Holy Baptism.

Another thing of mystery to the scientists: is light.  It’s nature, still not fully understood. It’s speed is constant, and nothing can go faster. Yet light can bend and warp. It’s a wave and a particle, depending on when and how you’re looking.  One of the simplest and basic elements of creation, still its true nature eludes our brightest and best minds. So common, so necessary to our experience as humans, and yet a mystery.

Who can see anything without light? Who can see anything without Christ? All else is sitting in darkness. Like death, we know the darkness well. Our sin loves the darkness, for in the darkness, it thinks it can hide: afraid of exposure. Woe to anyone who tries to cast the light upon our sin! “Who are you to judge me!? You’ve got your own sin, too! Your darkness is worse than my darkness”, I tell myself, and the darkness makes us more dull and blind.

The light of Christ casts out all darkness. It shines through and not only exposes sin but chases it away with the light of His truth. The true light, the source of all light comes into the world to dispel the darkness, ignorance and the lies cast by sin and bring hope and faith in its place.

John the baptizer came, preparing the way and making straight the path for the greater one to come. The one whose origins are from of old, even from before the beginning. John wasn’t the light, but he testified to it, pointed to Him, Jesus Christ the light of the world. The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.  The Glory of God now revealed in human flesh.

Some will see Him, with eyes enlightened by faith.  Others will remain in the darkness. He came to His own, the people who should have known Him, but they did not.  Many others who you wouldn’t think would, would come to the light. Some will prefer the shadows of sin and death, but others will believe in Him and live. This is the meaning of Christmas for you who believe: Life. Light. And an eternal word of salvation.

In the love and hope and joy and peace that God gives this Christmas, we see a child, born to die, a perfect little one: truly innocent in every way. The Word made Flesh. The Light of the World. The Life of all mankind, wrapped up in this little bundle of Bethlehem joy. Thanks be to God for this one, this Jesus, the Christ, who brings us grace and truth, even today. In the beginning, at the manger, from the cross, in the fount, in His Holy Supper, and in His Word always for your salvation. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Pr. Aaron Kangas