Bishop Barron on Christmas and the Prologue of John

Summary

This reflection on the prologue of the Gospel of John explores the profound theological significance of Christmas. The speaker delves into the concept of the Logos, or Word, which is both with God and is God, highlighting the Christian understanding of creation and the Incarnation. The prologue illustrates Christ’s unique role in revealing God, emphasizing grace and truth, and offering redemption. By becoming flesh, the Word elevates humanity, inviting us to partake in God’s divine nature. This message calls believers to reflect on the deeper spiritual meaning of Christmas, beyond sentimentality, toward transformation and perfection in Christ.

Takeaways

• 😀 The prologue of the Gospel of John encapsulates the essence of Christianity, summarizing its central themes of creation, the Word, and the Incarnation.
• 😀 The phrase 'In the beginning was the Word' connects directly to the opening of the Bible, suggesting that John's story is about a new creation initiated by God through the Word (Logos).
• 😀 The Word is not just a spoken word but a full, perfect expression of God's being, unlike human words that only express a limited aspect of oneself.
• 😀 The Christian doctrine of the Trinity is introduced: the Father speaks the fullness of Himself through the Son, who is not a partial reflection but the totality of God's truth.
• 😀 The idea that God, through Christ, made all things is central; all of reality, from the greatest to the smallest, reflects the Logos or rational order of creation.
• 😀 John the Baptist is presented as the last and greatest of the Hebrew prophets, yet he is not the light; he merely testifies to the true light, which is Jesus Christ.
• 😀 The tragedy of sin is described as humanity's failure to recognize the Word made flesh, even though we are made through Him and for Him.
• 😀 Despite humanity's failure to recognize the Word, those who accept Him are given the power to become children of God, which is the gift of grace.
• 😀 The Incarnation is not merely a spiritual event; it represents the union of God with humanity, bringing flesh to the Word, elevating human nature to the divine.
• 😀 The Word made flesh reveals both grace (a free gift of God) and truth (the perfect expression of God’s law), challenging humanity to rise to a higher moral calling.
• 😀 Christmas is not just about sentimentality; it is about the condescension of God to become human so that we might be transformed into His divine likeness through grace and truth.

Q & A

What is the significance of the phrase 'In the beginning was the Word' in the Gospel of John?

The phrase 'In the beginning was the Word' establishes a connection between the opening of John's Gospel and the creation narrative in Genesis ('In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth'). It highlights the idea that Jesus, as the Logos (Word), is the divine force behind all of creation, initiating a new creation and bringing order and reason to the universe.

How does the speaker explain the difference between human words and the divine Word (Logos)?

The speaker contrasts human words, which are limited in expressing only a small part of our thoughts, with the divine Word, which fully expresses God's essence. Since God is the ultimate reality, His Word is not a limited expression but a perfect and complete revelation of Himself.

What is the theological concept of the Trinity introduced in the prologue to the Gospel of John?

The prologue introduces the doctrine of the Trinity by showing that the Word (Jesus) is both distinct from and fully united with God the Father. The Father speaks the fullness of His being in the Son, making Jesus not just an aspect of God, but fully divine—'God from God, light from light, true God from true God.'

What role does John the Baptist play in the prologue, and what does he represent?

John the Baptist serves as a witness to the light (Jesus) but is not the light himself. He represents the great prophets and sages throughout history who have borne witness to the truth. However, John the Baptist is distinguished from Jesus because Jesus is not merely a messenger but the embodiment of the divine Word.

What does the speaker mean by the statement 'the world did not know him'?

The statement 'the world did not know him' reflects the tragedy of sin. Though humanity was made by the Logos and for the Logos, the world often fails to recognize or respond to God. Sin is seen as living out of step with our deepest identity and the divine purpose for which we were created.

How does the speaker describe the relationship between sin and humanity's failure to recognize Jesus?

The speaker describes sin as a failure to resonate with God’s Word. Humans are created with an inherent longing for God, yet sin is the condition where we reject or fail to recognize the Word of God, even though it is meant to fulfill our deepest desires and needs.

What does it mean to 'become children of God,' according to the prologue?

To 'become children of God' means to receive the grace of God through Jesus Christ. By accepting Jesus, believers are elevated to a new status, becoming part of God's divine family. This transformation happens through the grace of God, not through human effort or merit.

How does the speaker explain the concept of the Incarnation ('the Word became flesh')?

The Incarnation is the central mystery of Christianity, where the divine Word (Logos) takes on human nature in the person of Jesus Christ. The speaker emphasizes that this is not a mere change or transformation of the Word into flesh, but the Word 'taking flesh' to elevate humanity to a new level of perfection.

Why is the language 'He tabernacled among us' significant in the context of the Incarnation?

The phrase 'He tabernacled among us' connects the Incarnation to the Jewish tradition of the Tabernacle in the Old Testament, where God dwelled among His people. By using this term, John implies that Jesus is the ultimate meeting place of heaven and earth, the true Tabernacle, where humanity can encounter God.

What does the speaker mean by the relationship between grace and truth in the Incarnation?

The speaker highlights that in Jesus, grace and truth are perfectly united. Jesus is the embodiment of grace, offering the free gift of salvation, and He is also the embodiment of truth, revealing God’s law and moral demands. Unlike other religions that may emphasize grace or truth separately, Christianity finds both in the person of Christ, who is both gracious and truthful.