John 1:1-14,18 NRSVue

¹In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ²He was in the beginning with God. ³All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being ⁴in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. ⁵The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overtake it.

⁶There was a man sent from God whose name was John. ⁷He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. ⁸He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. ⁹The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.^,

¹⁰He was in the world, and the world came into being through him, yet the world did not know him. ¹¹He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. ¹²But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, ¹³who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.

¹⁴And 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. ¹⁸No one has ever seen God. It is the only Son, himself God, who is close to the Father’s heart, who has made him known.

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Some thoughts on this scripture

Reflection
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.’ Facing into a new calendar year, may we too shine with divine light. May this light shine within, so that we believe we are the children of God, loved to the core. May we in turn love others limitlessly, and so bring them light and consolation in their everyday lives.

Reflection
Lord, for the coming year, help me in my daily prayer to know you better, and bring me and those who pray using Sacred Space to where you are - ‘close to the Father’s heart.’