John 14 vs 1 - 14

“We beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,

full of grace and truth”

These words from John’s Gospel tell of the most tremendous, transforming experience in John’s long life. They speak to us of the glory of the man who became John’s Lord and Master, a glory that John saw each and every day in the company of Jesus in the same way as the Apostle Peter also saw it.

For both men the glory they saw was life-changing, just as it was for St Paul on the road to Damascus. It was something never- to- be- forgotten and an experience about which all three wrote. And they were not alone.

The shepherds experienced a heavenly display on a hillside above Bethlehem. Their terror changed to awe and wonder, once they had been reassured by the Angels they met, following which they were able go into the town to see that God had been born in glory as an infant a stable.

Today we are told that Christmas is for children and so, in a purely secular and commercial way, it tends to be.  But the real Christmas is for everyone, young, middle-aged and elderly unlike. None are excluded. The account of the birth of Jesus and its sequel is a message of hope, real hope, for us all.

As such it is also a reason for thanksgiving for us all. This is because there are no exclusions. There are no requirements to be born great, intelligent or lucky. Nor do we have to work for the hope that is God’s gift to all mankind.

All that is needful to avail ourselves of the hope of Christmas and beyond, is to open our ears and eyes and hearts what God is saying to us ,what in other words he wants us to hear see and do. We need nothing more.

When in due time Mary and Joseph took Jesus to the Temple as required by Jewish law, they were met by Simeon. He was now a very old man and had waited all his life for this one day.  Now he saw the hope and glory given by God to mankind. Now he could at last depart in peace having seen God’s plan for man’s salvation in the form of a little child.

Simeon is an encouragement to us all and a person worth thinking about.  Firstly he teaches that it is never too late. Some are fit, others perhaps not so; some of us are at peace, others have worries; some grieve, while others rejoice; but we all have one thing in common.  One day we will stand before God when our sojourn here comes to its end. But the question for us is this:  ‘Will we be able to speak as Simeon did?’

For some the answer is a resounding ‘NO’ because fear or ignorance rules where love should abide.  Jesus invites us to take into our lives the love he offers along with the reassurance that it abides for ever.

John also confirms that those who receive Jesus, those that is, who hear and accept his Word, can become sons and daughters of God.  That is a truly amazing state of affairs which only requires our positive response in order to become a present reality.

 “Lord Jesus I believe, help thou my unbelief.”

Jesus is the child whose coming into the world we celebrate on this day.  He is the crucified and risen Lord through whom God reveals his love which he shares with us if we allow it.

‘His love has no limit, his grace has no measure,

His power has no boundary known unto man.

For out of his manifest riches in Jesus

He giveth and giveth and giveth again.”

May that love enable us all to see that what John Wesley said is true –

“THE BEST OF ALL IS GOD IS WITH US”

and may we be able to say with St John “WE BEHELD HIS GLORY”