Today we remember St John. He was a fisherman, a son of Zebedee, and the brother of James. He is probably the disciple whom Jesus loved mentioned in the Gospel of John. It was to John that Jesus entrusted his mother, Mary. According to tradition they came to live in Ephesus. Tradition also says that John was the only apostle to die a natural death rather than being martyred.

Tradition also assigns the Fourth Gospel to John. This is perhaps the most difficult Gospel to understand. Take the beginning of the Gospel for example. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” I still remember the Christmas Eve when my pastor read that passage. It wasn’t the usual story of a manger and shepherds and angels. I was 12 years old at the time and mulled those words over and over in me head. What do they mean? I was still pondering their meaning when I learned to read them in the original Greek. I’m still wondering about them.

At a Service of Nine Lessons and Carols this lesson is introduced: “St. John unfolds the mystery of the incarnation.” Unfolding is a wonderful description of what John does. God becoming flesh in Jesus Christ is a miracle that can never be completely understood. All anyone can do is unfold a part of it, examine it, and then unfold another part all the time marveling in the might act of God.

What a great way to celebrate this holy season.

Read John 1:1-14 and remember: God loves YOU unconditionally.

Wayne