Word Made Flesh

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 came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.

He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.

And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father's only son, full of grace and truth. (John testified to him and cried out, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me.'") From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father's heart, who has made him known.
John 1:1-18

From Joseph's Diary

This little boy is so fragile. It is hard to imagine sometimes that this is the Son of God. He is so dependent upon us for everything and he needs so much sleep and so much food. I guess I expected a different kind of child, but since this is my first child, I really don't know what to expect. God is certainly not cluing me in every minute. I have to stumble around in the dark, hoping for new dreams and new directions. So far, no new dreams, no new directions.

I hope to finalize the registration tomorrow, pay the tax and head back home. The officials don't seem in any hurry, so we could be stuck here indefinitely. I heard there were people looking for a new born boy, something about the king wanting to meet him. I think these are just made up stories. People who wait around have plenty of time to gossip and make stuff up. I think I will just keep Mary and the baby under wraps. Soon, we will have to bring him out to the temple, but for now, we still can just fade into the woodwork. I do hope God sends me some dreams soon, so I can do something more than wait and watch.




The Collect

Almighty God, you have poured upon us the new light of your incarnate Word: Grant that this light, enkindled in our hearts, may shine forth in our lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.