Today’s Scripture Readings

Gospel Reading

NRSV

— John — 1 — 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth. (John testified to him and cried out, ‘This was he of whom I said, “He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me.” ’) From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father’s heart, who has made him known.

And now, the promise is fulfilled. The waiting gives way to wonder: Christ is born. God is with us.

Today, we rejoice in the astonishing truth at the heart of our faith: God has become one of us. Christ is born, not in a palace, but in the humility of the manger. There was no room for him at the inn, so he is laid where animals feed. From the very beginning, the question is raised: Will there be room for Christ?

This is the mystery of Christmas. God is with us, not as a distant idea but a real presence—personal, close.

We have journeyed through Advent, with hopeful longing, preparing our hearts in quiet and prayer. Now, on this holy day, we celebrate the one who comes not just to visit, but to dwell with us. Christmas proclaims that God’s love is not a memory but is present. God’s word still seeks a place to dwell.

The manger reminds us that God does not wait for perfect conditions. Christ is born into the ordinary, the crowded, the uncertain. Into our mess and our margins, both then and now. But into this, Christ’s light still shines. “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.” (John 1:5) This is not because the world has been tidied or trouble has ended but because God now shares it all with us. Christ walks with us. Carries our fears. Heals our wounds. Fills our emptiness with presence.

So today, let us open the door that the innkeeper could not. Let us make space, however small or humble, and say, “There is room here, Lord.” Let us welcome Christ into our homes, our prayers, our mess, our longings. Because when we make room for him, everything changes.

Like the angels on that first night, we, too, proclaim:

“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favours!” (Luke 2:14).