Day 15 – John 1 verses 1 – 14 (Open the door)
Bible Reading
The Word Became Flesh John 1 verses 1 – 14
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome[a] it.
6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.
9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Opening Prayer
Loving God, we come into your presence, we are filled with rejoicing as we feel you here with us. We thank you that your love is stronger than death and your mercy knows no ends. As we continue our Advent journey we thank you, that we travel to witness your grace coming into the world through Jesus. Help us to see new challenges you set before us on our journey to meet with you. Amen.
Reflection
The passage today is one of the most beautiful in the bible.
Having said that it is also quite a sad one. God comes into the world and is neither recognised nor received.
Two millenia later and the world still tries to disprove the existence of God. Science can be used to explain everything and yet when it can’t it is thought that it will be just a matter of time until it will be able to. Only this week scientists have identified a new galaxy forming – the Firefly Sparkle – which is 13 billion light years away! It has also been likened to Christmas lights shining as it was when the Universe was just 600 million years old. I thought this was quite amusing that the galaxy should be liken to light that, at least in Christian households, are hung and lit to celebrate the birth of Jesus.
I found that a fascinating image that God’s creation is still active and churning. The Word still resounding round the universe creating as it echoes in every corner. Light that shone 13 billion years ago stimulating our eyes today. What an awesome thought.
A time for your own reflection
Read the passage again and spend a little time thinking of how the passage speaks to you. The wonder of scripture is that there is always something new to discover and each passage speaks to us in our own need and circumstances.
Only if you feel you want to – share your thoughts with someone. God inspires our thoughts and you never know, the person you share with may be waiting to hear what you have to say.
Song
Here is the next song –
“Open the door”
Two versions of the song today again. A nice bouncy folk one and then a nice rocky one.
As I wrote this one I felt that I wanted to express the fact that the stable beckons us as we approach the birth of Jesus. However, as we arrive at a decision point in our lives to follow Jesus, we need to make a positive decision to open the door and pass through into the presence of God.
Also the fact that, in the season of Advent we look forward to seeing Jesus again on Christmas Day. We also look forward to the day that he will come again.
Title: Open the door
Inspiration: John 1 v 1 – 14
Words: Chris Hancock
Music: Generated on Suno.com
Rock
Open the door
Words: Chris Hancock
Music: Generated on Suno.com
[Verse 1]
There’s a place where we meet with our Saviour,
Not a church but a place in our hearts,
We meet by a rough wooden manger,
And meet at the rough wooden cross.
[Verse 2]
Swing open the doors, the rough wooden doors,
For the first time, or if opening once more,
Just a door gently closed, and a choice which is yours,
To swing wide and go through the door.
[Chorus]
We meet with a new born baby,
Who will be a teacher so wise,
We meet at the moment he’s born,
And again when from death we rise.
[Verse 4]
Swing open the doors, the rough wooden doors,
For the first time, or if opening once more,
Just a door gently closed, and a choice which is yours,
To swing wide and go through the door.
[Chorus]
We meet with a new born baby,
Who will be a teacher so wise,
We meet at the moment he’s born,
And again when from death we rise.
[Verse 5]
We pass through the doors of the stable
Splintered and patched and scored
The hinges well oiled, the handle well worn
By all who have passed through before
[Chorus]
We meet with a new born baby
Who will be a teacher so wise
We meet at the moment he’s born
And again when from death we rise
We meet with a new born baby
Who will be a teacher so wise
We meet at the moment he’s born
And again when from death we rise
Prayer
Loving God, we praise you for you are full of grace and full of truth. We thank you that we see new mercies from you every single day of our lives. We glory in the fact that when we come to the stable door, you call us to open that door and come to your side. That we can hear your words of truth and love.
We remember that whilst we find you in a rough wood manger on the day of your birth that you will die for us on a rough wooden cross.
We pray that you will help us to reflect your character in our lives and in the world around us. That in every relationship we have we will be full of grace and full of truth. Amen.
Copyrights
Reflections and Prayers
By Chris Hancock
Songs
Words of the songs are by Chris Hancock
Music generated on Suno.com
If you are a user of the free tier of the Service then, you covenant and agree that you will only use Outputs generated from Submissions made by you through the Service solely for your lawful, internal, personal and non-commercial purposes, provided that you give attribution credit to Suno in each case.
[Verse 1]
There’s a place where we meet with our Saviour,
Not a church but a place in our hearts,
We meet by a rough wooden manger,
And meet at the rough wooden cross.
[Verse 2]
Swing open the doors, the rough wooden doors,
For the first time, or if opening once more,
Just a door gently closed, and a choice which is yours,
To swing wide and go through the door.
[Chorus]
We meet with a new born baby,
Who will be a teacher so wise,
We meet at the moment he’s born,
And again when from death we rise.
[Verse 3]
Swing open the doors, the rough wooden doors,
For the first time, or if opening once more,
Just a door gently closed, and a choice which is yours,
To swing wide and go through the door.
[Chorus]
We meet with a new born baby
Who will be a teacher so wise
We meet at the moment he’s born
And again when from death we rise
[Instrumental]
[Verse 4]
Swing open the doors, the rough wooden doors,
For the first time, or if opening once more,
Just a door gently closed, and a choice which is yours,
To swing wide and go through the door.
[Verse 5]
We pass through the doors of the stable,
Splintered and patched and scored,
The hinges well oiled, the handle well worn,
By all who have passed through before.
[Chorus]
We meet with a new born baby,
Who will be a teacher so wise,
We meet at the moment he’s born,
And again when from death we rise.
Bible Readings
Bible readings are from the New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Images
Images where used are from pixabay.com and free for commercial use no attribution required.
