A beginning

 John 1:1-18

Each gospel writer has a different expression or story of where Jesus starts. For Matthew it is with Joseph, his father on earth, who listens to God in dreams. In Mark Jesus starts with John and repentance. In Luke it is with Mary and rulers, announced only to shepherds in the fields. For John it is in words. Words which bring light, are tied to creation, and give us a glimpse of inner light.

This reading is the one used at the end of a lessons and carols service, it is the reading of the first Sunday after Christmas maybe because it contains different sparks of what it might mean to carry Christs light into the world. Christmas Eve Presiding Bishop Michael Curry was on the today show. As I watched them talk and laugh with ease, with him you could see the sparks of this light. Kindness goes a long way in lighting the spark of the Christ light.

We can disagree, but we can still fellowship with one another. Our world needs this right now. We cut off, we aren't kind, we get mad, we leave, we don't show the light Christ meant to dwell with us. How do you want to invite others to this light? What I saw there was an invitation to draw closer.

Think of a bon fire, we used to have these at the Baptist camp I went to in the winter, the light could be seen all around the lake. It is an invitation of warmth, to draw near, and to join a group in story and song. Especially in the snow and cold of winter.

We have forgotten our connection to one another and to the Christ light in one another. We make each other out as evil and bad and don't look further to see how if we unite one to another we might bring the bonfire of Christs light to a hurting world. A light in which others will be drawn to its warmth, and invitation of communion with one another.

Christ meant for this to happen. It is why shepherds in the fields were called to his stable and not religious leaders. It is why wise men from far off, who weren't Jewish, who weren't asked to believe came and gave gifts of sustenance for when the family had to flee to Egypt. Points of light from unrelated folk, drawn because of a light so wonderful, a light sparked from their own knowledge and love.

It wouldn't have been a star which would attract the shepherds, but the rending of the skies wide open and the word. The angels, the messengers of God had to speak and sing so they might go and see this Messiah. The wise men learned the stars, these are what spoke to them because a new one came into the sky and they knew it heralded something new. So they traveled miles, hundreds of miles, months, years to find this child. They say baby Jesus was a year old by the time the wise men came.

Imagine if we might show this light. Would it rent the sky, would it silently draw people to follow, or would it spark something different. We need to give it a chance. So come you who disagree, come you who yearn for the light, Emmanuel was born this day in us all. Come and remember the affection created for us all. Come and make a fire fit a king.