John 1:1-5 (New Living Translation)
In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.

We love to celebrate birthdays. Our own birthdays, perhaps especially, but also those of the people we love. It’s a marking of a milestone– a completed year of life to be recognized and remembered. And it’s also a celebration of the new year of life that is just beginning.

Christmas marks an incredibly special birthday celebration. So special, in fact, that it is celebrated by countless people around the world for a man who lived two millennia ago. It’s a birth that changed history, influenced cultures, and inspires artists. It is the most important birth in the history of the world. What is so different about Jesus’ birthday?

Our reading for today holds the answer. In twenty-three days, we’ll celebrate again the human birthday of “the Word”: the Son of the Father God through whom everything we know and hold dear was created. This is no ordinary birth that we await. With the arrival of Jesus, hope is birthed, along with redemption and joy and love and salvation.

That’s something to celebrate!

Question…
What is your favorite part of the Christmas celebration?