Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: December 31, 2025

Date: The 7^th Day in the Octave of Christmas

Scripture Text:  John 1:1-18

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 to be through him,    

and without him nothing came to be.

What came to be through him was life,    

and this life was the light of the human race;    

the light shines in the darkness,    

and the darkness has not overcome it.

A man named John was sent from God.

He came for testimony, to testify to the light, 

so that all might believe through him.

He was not the light,

but 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 to be through him,    

but the world did not know him.

He came to what was his own,    

but his own people did not accept him.

But to those who did accept him    

he gave power to become children of God,     

to those who believe in his name,     

who were born not by natural generation     

nor by human choice nor by a man’s decision     

but of God.

And the Word became flesh    

and made his dwelling among us,    

and we saw his glory,  

 the glory as of the Father’s only-begotten Son,  

 full of grace and truth.

John testified to him and cried out, saying, 

“This was he of whom I said, 

‘The one who is coming after me

ranks ahead of me 

because he existed before me.’”

From his fullness we have all received,

grace in place of grace,

because while the law was given through Moses, 

grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

No one has ever seen God.

The only-begotten Son, God,

who is at the Father’s side, has revealed him.

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

The gospel reading today is the beginning of the Gospel of John that presents to us the Son of God as the Word, the full expression of the Father, who comes into the world for our salvation, and yet the world does not recognize Him.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

Do I truly recognize Jesus, Son of God? Do I recognize Him in the scriptures? Do I recognize Him in my life, in my moments?

Praying:

LORD, Jesus Christ, Son of God, Word made flesh, You are the expression of the Father, revealing to us His love, His power, His presence to us. Send your Spirit to open us more fully to the truths that You revealed through your words, through your deeds, and through your very being, your presence among us. Grant that we may strive to maintain that openness throughout the coming year, making room in our minds, our hearts, our souls, our lives, our homes, our world for You to the glory of the Father. Amen.