The Nativity of our
Lord Jesus Christ
The
Saviour of the World
25 December,
Mass During the Day
1st Reading:
Isaiah 52:7-10
2nd 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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