The Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ

The Saviour of the World

25 December, Mass During the Day

1^st Reading: Isaiah 52:7-10

2^nd Reading: Hebrews 1:1-6

Gospel: John 1:1-18: Christ is presented as the Word

Jesus the Living word: The First Witness of John the Apostle, Jn 1:1-5

This passage is one of the summits of Scripture. The highest of human thought that reaches the highest of human concepts. It is this: Jesus is Christ , the Son of God is

·       The Word of God

·       The Creator of Life

·       The Very Being and Essence of Life

These three truths have to be deeply thought about to understand their meaning. However, the importance of the truth lie at the very foundation of life.

If Jesus Christ is the Word of God, then people must hear and understand that Word of God or else be lost forever in ignorance of God Himself.

1. Christ is eternal (v.1-2)

a. Pre-existent

b. Co-existent

c. Self-existent

2. Christ is the Creator (v.3)

a. Positive statement

b. Absolute statement

3. Christ is life (v.4-5)

a. The source of light

b. The answer to darkness

          1) shines in darkness

          2) conquers darkness

Jesus the Light of the World: The Special Witness of John the Baptist, 1:6-8

The sole purpose of John the Baptist on earth was to witness and to bear testimony to the Light of the World and stands as a dynamic example for every believer. The purpose of every believer is to be bear the same witness as John: Jesus Christ is the Light of the World

1. A man sent from God (v.6)

2. A man with a mission (v.7)

a. To bear witness

b. that men might believe

3. A man who was great, but was not the Light (v.8)

Jesus the Light of Men: The Second Witness of John the Apostle, 1:9-13

This passage deals about the world is in desperate straits. It is full of darkness-the darkness of sin and despair, of sickness and death, of corruption and hell. The darkness looms over the whole world. There is hope in Jesus Christ, for Christ is the True Light, and Light dispels darkness.

1. Christ was the Light (v.9)

a. The true Light

b. His mission: To give light to people

2. Christ was tragically rejected by the world (v.10-11)

a. He was in the world, but He was rejected

b. He came to His own people, but they rejected Him

3. Christ was wonderfully received by some (v.12-13)

a. How: By believing

b. Result: Became sons of God

c. The source of becoming a child of God: A new birth

          1) was not of man

          2) was of God

Jesus the Word Made Flesh: The Third Witness of John the Apostle, 1:14-18

“The Word became flesh”-God’s Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, was made flesh and blood; He became a man. No greater message could ever be proclaimed to man.

1. Christ became flesh (v.14)

2. Proof 1: Christ dwelt visibly among us (v.14)

a. His glory was seen

b. Full of grace and truth

3. Proof 2: John the Baptist bore witness of superiority of Christ (v.15)

4. Proof 3: Men have received the fullness and grace of Christ (v.16-17)

a. Not by law

b. By Jesus Christ

5. Proof 4: God’s Son alone has seen God (v.18)

Thought: The message is a given message. The servant of God is not left on his own to think up a message; he is not dependent upon his own reason, thoughts, and idea. His message is Christ, the Light of the world.

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