The Feast of St John | Wednesday 27 December 2023

Today is Wednesday the 27th of December, the feast of St. John.

One Hope Project sings, ‘What Child Is This?’


What Child is this, who, laid to rest,
On Mary's lap is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet,
While shepherds watch are keeping?
This, this is Christ, the King,
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing:
Haste, haste to bring Him laud,
The Babe, the Son of Mary!
Why lies He in such mean estate,
Where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christian, fear: for sinners here
The silent Word is pleading.
So bring Him incense, gold, and myrrh,
Come, peasant, king to own Him.
The King of kings salvation brings;
Let loving hearts enthrone Him.


Today's reading is from the First Letter of John.


1 John 1: 1-4

We declare to you what was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— this life was revealed, and we have seen it and testify to it, and declare to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us— we declare to you what we have seen and heard so that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. We are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.

John wants to share his joy with us by bearing witness to the concrete reality he has lived: the eternal, unknowable God becomes human, real and visible, speaking words that can be clearly heard. How does this thought strike you?

The passing on of the Good News of Jesus creates a community of fellowship with other believers over space and time. As you think about this, how does it feel to be part of that community? Is there anyone who has brought the Gospel especially close to you? What would you wish to say to them?

As we hear the reading repeated, allow what John writes about the word of life to resonate within you. What words rise up in your heart in response to this reading?

The famous Trinity icon by Andrei Rublev depicts God Father, Son and Spirit as a community of relationship. John’s letter tells us that we are part of that community with and in God and with one another. How do you find yourself wanting to respond to the God who invites us into this circle of love?

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.