Daily Devotions
Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray You?”) When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?” John 21:20-21
Christmas is pretty simple. A baby is born to a peasant virgin named Mary and is laid in a feeding trough because there is no room in the inn. Angels fill the sky with light and song, and the shepherds who hear go to Bethlehem to see what has been announced to them.
There’s probably a lot more that could have been said about this unique event. After all, this is God’s Son who has come into the world. But the Holy Spirit moved His holy evangelists to tell us what we need to know.
Today we commemorate St. John, whose Gospel so wonderfully proclaims that Jesus, the Word of God, became flesh to save us who are flesh and blood. He tells us how God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son that whoever believes in Him should have eternal life (John 3:16). John could have told us much more. In fact, books about Jesus could overflow the whole world. But He tells us what we need to be saved: Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, born of Mary to redeem us, that believing, we have life in His name.
Prayer: Merciful Lord, cast the bright beams of Your Light upon Your church that we may come to the light of everlasting life. Amen.
My Bold Action for Today: Start reading the Gospel of John to your family, so the Spirit can proclaim to you why Jesus was born at Bethlehem.
Rev. Warren Hamp