John’s Gospel does not record the standard birth stories of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. There’s no high drama as Joseph wrestles with the implications of a pregnant fiancée, no angelic visitations to a godly but infertile couple, no glory bursting through the night upon petrified shepherds. John opens his Gospel with theology, not narrative. He wants us to know not how Jesus came into the world, but why?! For John the issue of first importance is understanding Jesus’s true identity as one with the eternal God, and through whom all things exist as the Creator.

His account is full of glorious promises: those who believe in Jesus are given “the right to become children of God”! From his fullness we all receive grace upon grace. Although the Law came through Moses, through Jesus we have grace and truth.

At this time of year when we literally experience growing darkness in the world, John reminds us that the true light has come into the world and the darkness cannot overcome it! May God encourage our hearts this Advent season as we consider the glorious hope that is ours because “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us”!