In the Beginning was The Word

"In the beginning was the Word, and the word was with God and the Word was God." John 1:1

The Word.

Out of all the ways John could have started his gospel, this is certainly one of the more unique ways. He passes over the typical genealogical or cultural stage setting and reaches back to the beginning, the Very Beginning, invoking a Genesis-type intro to the last of the Gospels.

The Word. The Word.

In the beginning was the Word.

What does that mean and why did John choose those words to open his beautiful and unique Gospel?

In the HCSB version of John 1:1, the footnote says "The Word (In the Greek: Logos) is a title for Jesus as the communication and the revealer of God the Father."

Communication and revealer. I love that. My spirit literally went "Aha!"

Sure I have memorized this scripture, but I don't think I've ever really let the gravity of these words saturate my soul. Jesus communicated and revealed to us who God is through His time here on earth, as the written word (The Bible) continues to do so across the centuries.

I don't remember a time where I wasn't surrounded by words. My parents and grandparents read to me constantly as a kid and I was reading on my own by the end of kindergarten. I have always had tons of books and my eyes hungrily search for words as I eat or do other activities. I like word-decorated items, word games, play on words and word humor.

Words are my JAM.

God is leading me into a season of life where (prayerfully) words are going to play a bigger part. I have found myself asking myself why writing is important to me or why it's a big deal at all. There are so many books, blogs and magazines out there already. How are more words going to even matter?

He then brought John 1:1 to my mind.

Words matter. Words have power. Jesus himself is the Word.

As a Christian, God has called me to use my words (His words) to communicate and reveal who Jesus is. That's it. That's my job. We all have this responsibility by being his witnesses, but for me, this specifically applies to writing.

It doesn't matter (really) what direction my writing takes, what does matter is that I walk in obedience to the calling He has placed in my life.

O Holy Night, Glad Tidings Part 3

Sure it was messy. Most definitely it was stinky and noisy. Lowly? Yes. Undignified? Probably.

But I'd like to think there was a small moment the night Jesus was born that took Mary and Joseph's breath away. That held the shepherds captive for a few seconds. The even the animals ceased from eating, from moo-ing and from shuffling in their stalls- just for a moment.

The hushed awe. The reverence. The holiness...it had to be tangible.

"O holy night..."

There is much about Christmas that can be noisy. The crowds swarm, the ads never stop, even other songs have more clamorous lyrics:

"O how they pound, raising their sound!"

"Jingle all the way!"

"Ding dong merrily on high!"

But this song bids us to still our tongues and quiet our hearts. It bids us to come to a position of reverence and to simply listen and worship.

"Fall on your knees, O hear the angel voices..."

In small ways throughout the season, we can quiet our hearts to worship and to listen for the angel voices. Being humble and listening are not necessarily qualities our society elevates. It's all about making sure your voice is heard and that everyone knows you are the greatest.

But maybe that can be laid aside. Maybe, just maybe, a different approach can be taken.

By humbling bowing, the shepherds declared that Christ is Lord. May our lives reflect the same this Christmas season.

*I hope you have enjoyed my Glad Tidings series! These are some of my favorite songs and little nuggets I felt the Lord spoke to my heart this Christmas season. They are not meant in anyway to be deep theological discussions or exhaustive expositions of the lyrics. I do not own any rights to the music: lyrics or otherwise. The songs were found via YouTube.*

O Come, O Come, Glad Tidings Part 2

"O come, o come, Emmanuel..."

The nation of Israel was hungrily looking for the coming of their Savior, for that would signal their rescue, the coming of their redeemer. 

Generation after generation had passed since the Messiah was prophesied. As sons grew up to be fathers and into grandfathers, but no sign yet of the promised one, how their anticipation must have been growing. Aging eyes eagerly hunting for any signs...

"O come, o come..."

Those simple, pleading lyrics of one of my favorite Christmas carols struck a deeper note with me this year, for it echoes longings we can still identify with today.

Awaiting.
Expecting.
Hoping.

In our chapter of the story, Jesus has indeed come, but we wait for His second final coming. We too anticipate meeting our Savior face to face.

On a simpler, daily level- we are all awaiting events and seasons of life it seems, maybe even waiting on something God has promised.

May you take heart anew this Christmas season that waiting is not bad. As Christians, we don't wait alone. The One we look to is indeed present with us now.

"O come, o come Emmanuel..."

Emmanuel- the God who is with us; or more precisely "The With Us God."

I don't know about you, but I need a "With Us God." This name...the intimacy and love it conveys overwhelms me.

Emmanuel is not a far-off thought.
He is not a statue.
He is not dead.

He is with us, cares for us and desires to have a relationship with us.

He has come, and He will come again.

Miss Glad Tidings Part 1? Check it out here!

*I hope you are enjoying my Glad Tidings series! These are some of my favorite songs and little nuggets I felt the Lord spoke to my heart this Christmas season. They are not meant in anyway to be deep theological discussions or exhaustive expositions of the lyrics. I do not own any rights to the music: lyrics or otherwise. The songs were found via YouTube.*

With Tireless Hope, Glad Tidings Part 1

Usually, I'm the person who is TEAM NO CHRISTMAS UNTIL AFTER THANKSGIVING.

This year, it wasn't even November 15th and I was cranking out decorations, playing Christmas music and stockpiling supplies for holiday goodies. Who is this person?!

After the past 11 months, my soul has definitely needed a reason to celebrate and share gifts with those in my life.

I have needed an outlet for creativity and for thoughtfulness.

I have needed some sparkle, some light.

Life can be awfully dark and cruel at times. But Christmas truly is a season of peace and light, if we let it be.

I discovered the artist Sleeping at Last a couple of months ago and the quiet hope threaded through many of the songs resonates deep within.

Their song "Snow" captured me immediately. Haunting, yet joyful. Thoughtful and a little melancholy. But overall: hopeful.

"Welcome December with tireless hope..."

Whether you're facing Christmas with less people around the table than the year before, or your burden seems to weigh a little heavier, or maybe you just need to be reminded of what's truly precious, this song is for you.

Let God breathe new life into your family this Christmas with new traditions, a fresh sense of His presence, and a reawakened awe at the greatest gift of all: Jesus.

Check out Glad Tidings Part 2 here!

*I hope you are enjoying my Glad Tidings series! These are some of my favorite songs and little nuggets I felt the Lord spoke to my heart this Christmas season. They are not meant in anyway to be deep theological discussions or exhaustive expositions of the lyrics. I do not own any rights to the music: lyrics or otherwise. The songs were found via YouTube.*