We humans build our lives on sand, expecting them to withstand life’s hurricanes. Thus, we reap avoidable pain and suffering. Even Christians seek answers in the wrong places, while the Answer lies before us. One would have thought that after over two thousand years of celebrating Christmas, Christ’s message would have been deeply rooted in the hearts and lives of every believer. Instead, many seem as lost as those yet to believe. During this Christmas season, let us spend some time reflecting on the truths of our salvation as John laid them out. First, John testifies that every single detail of creation came into being through Jesus. This means that God cares deeply about the world. He cares about everything and every person, down to the hair on each head. God is not uninterested and unconcerned about what is happening in the world or to each of his children. Indeed, terrible things happen, due to our fallen nature. Secondly, John testifies that from the beginning of creation, we were supposed to know God personally and intimately. This is the fullness of life, destroyed by original sin. Christ came to restore it, to infuse energy and motivation into us so that we might walk and live as we ought to. He came to show us how to avoid losing our lives, but to save them.

Prayer: Jesus, you came that we may have life to the full. May our celebration of your birth deepen our understanding of this truth. Amen.