THE WORD OF CHRISTMAS

Please turn in your Bible to John 1:1-18 as we consider THE WORD OF CHRISTMAS.

This Christmas season we have been taking a journey through what I have referred to as the Joy of Christmas. The song which I wrote last year, referred to many titles for Christ as well as many titles or lines from Christmas carols. And these have supplied my topics for this Christmas season. However, my topics and or titles had to be changed a bit. Let me try to explain.

On my preaching schedule, which I put together about a year ago, I had listed these four sermon titles:

The Joy of Christmas

The Star of Bethlehem

The First Noel

The Receiver of Wise Men

The reason why I have had to adjust my topics is that topics three and four were covered in topics one and two. The text for The First Noel, was already covered when I spoke of the Joy of Christmas. And the text for the Receiver of Wise Men was covered when I spoke about the Mysterious Star of Bethlehem.

In other words, my preaching schedule for Christmas time was not thought through as thoroughly as the rest of my preaching schedule was. While my preaching schedule will always need to be flexible and adaptable, for the next couple of weeks I think it is definitely set. You can be praying that the Lord will direct me as I seek to put together next years schedule — hopefully before next year arrives!

I am aware that I have preached from John 1 before. Hopefully I will have a slightly different focus than when I preached through this for the 2021 Christmas season. Then I spent about four weeks on what I hope to spend just one week this year.

As we focus on our text we will look at Christmas communication, light, testimony, and explanation.

Since it is a lengthy passage, we will read each verse as we come to it.

Let’s begin by looking at

Christmas Communication

The Apostle John, who was the human author of the Gospel of John, wrote in a style which was uniquely different than any of the other New Testament writers. If I had to put a label to his style I would say that it was philosophical. Of course John was not living in Israel when he wrote his gospel, epistles, and the book of Revelation, all toward the end of the first century. He was living in western Asia Minor, in an area which had been inundated with Greek culture due to the expansion of the kingdom of Alexander the Great. And so, his audience would be very familiar with the Greek philosophers of the past, such as Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. Thus, John borrowed terminology from them, but he gave the terms a uniquely Christian meaning.

Matthew began his narrative with a genealogy which proves that Jesus had a legitimate right to the throne of David. And then he wrote about the angelic announcement to Joseph concerning the Child which his virgin fiance was presently expecting. Mark doesn’t mention the birth or incarnation of Jesus at all. Luke began his narrative with the announcement to Zachariah that he and his elderly wife Elizabeth would have a son who would be the forerunner to the Christ. This was the fulfillment of prophecies from both Isaiah and Malachi (the first and the last of the writing prophets).

But John began his narrative at the beginning of time. Look at verses 1-2.

John 1:1–2 NASB 95

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.

Note that,

Jesus Christ is Eternal

Unlike you and I, Jesus did not come into existence at the time of His conception. He existed from eternity past as the second member of the Holy Trinity.

We also learn that

Jesus Christ was Relational

John wrote that He was with God. They coexisted together in a relationship which is best described in family term, Father and Son. While we can definitely grasp the relational aspect of the parent child relationship, we struggle to grasp the next thing which we learn about Jesus.

Jesus is God

This is truly mind blowing to those familiar with the Jewish Scriptures which teach that there is only one God. And John definitely supports that truth. And yet these two distinct individuals are both this One and Only God. Mind blowing to the core. It is something which we will never fully understand, and yet it is a truth which must be received by faith. Since God’s Word, which cannot be anything but truthful and accurate, proclaims this truth, it is our duty to accept it, even though we cannot fathom it.

R. Kent Hughes, the former pastor of Wheaton College Church, in Wheaton, Illinois, wrote, “There never was a time when Christ did not exist because the word “was” is in the Greek imperfect tense, which means “was continuing.” In fact, the entire first verse bears this sense. “In the beginning was continuing the Word, and the Word was continuing with God, and the Word was continually God.” (R. Kent Hughes, John: That You May Believe, Preaching the Word (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 1999), 16.)

It is interesting the John uses the term “Word” for Jesus Christ. The Greek term, Logos, refers to communication, most commonly spoken communication. It can be translated word or reason; hence the familiar saying that Jesus is the Reason for the Season. To the Greek mindset the idea referred to the rationale that ruled the universe. And John is borrowing this since his primary audience were Gentile believers.

The writer of the epistle to the Hebrews stated:

Hebrews 1:1–3 NASB 95

God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world. And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,

We also learn from our text that,

Jesus Christ is the Creator of All Things

Look at verse 3 (which I will read from the Christian Standard Bible since it is a little easier to follow in that translation).

John 1:3 CSB

All things were created through him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created.

This truth was attested to by the writer of Hebrews as we already have read. It was also attested to by Paul in his epistle to the Colossians.

Colossians 1:16 NASB 95

For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him.

And the psalmist also attested to this truth in ancient times.

Psalm 33:6 NASB 95

By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, And by the breath of His mouth all their host.

Jesus is the One who spoke the world into existence. His Word is truly powerful!

We have been looking at Christmas communication. The communication is in the Word, who is God’s final communication to mankind. Let’s move on to look at

Christmas Light

Note that,

Jesus is the Eternally Self-Existent One

Look at verses 4-5.

John 1:4–5 NASB 95

In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

How did the triune God come into being? The answer is that He did not. There was never a time when He did not exist. There will never be a time in which He will not continue to exist. The Creator has no creator. And that is why John was able to say that in Him was life. Look at

John 5:26 NASB 95

For just as the Father has life in Himself, even so He gave to the Son also to have life in Himself;

Any honest study of the Gospel of John has to lead to the conclusion that Jesus is God Incarnate. He is not some lesser god with a small “g” as the Jehovah Witnesses teach. He is very God of very God!

At the end of His earthly ministry, just prior to the cross, Jesus said this:

John 14:2–4 NASB 95

In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way where I am going.”

Thomas was confused about the statement that they knew the way to where Jesus was going.

John 14:5–6 NASB 95

Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, how do we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.

Note that,

Jesus is the Source of Eternal Life

Jesus is the life in that He is the eternally self-existent One. He is also the life because His death and resurrection is the source of eternal life for all who believe in His person and His work.

The life which was in Christ is the Light of men. In the modern scientific community it is often held that light is the source of life. But John is saying just the opposite, that the One who is Life is the source of Light. The NASB capitalizes the word “Light” emphasizing that it is a reference to Jesus who is the Light of the World.

Look at verse 5 again.

John 1:5 ESV

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

In John’s Gospel there is a constant tension between Light and darkness. Light refers to all that is in Christ — His self-existing life, and the source of salvation. Darkness refers to Satan and his domain. The world, by and large, is in darkness because Satan is the ruler of this world. But Satan’s darkness cannot conquer Christ’s light.

The light of Christ is so powerful that after our present earth and heavens have been destroyed, and a new heavens and earth have been created, there will be no need of the sun for the light of Christ will give light to all. Speaking of the New Jerusalem, John wrote,

Revelation 21:22–23 NASB 95

I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. And the city has no need of the sun or of the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God has illumined it, and its lamp is the Lamb.

I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait for that day to come! I’m more excited about this anticipated event than I ever was about Christmas! As John cried out, so do I — “Come, Lord Jesus!”

So far, we have looked at Christmas communication and light. Let’s turn our attention now to the

Christmas Testimony

In this extended passage there are two individuals who gave testimony to the Light of the World. And both are named John.

The first testimony comes from John the Baptist. Look at verses 6-8.

John 1:6–8 NASB 95

There came a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to testify about the Light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the Light, but he came to testify about the Light.

John was the last of the Old Testament prophets — he is called and OT prophet because he died before the inauguration of the New Covenant, which was inaugurated by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. John was the first prophet to come on the scene since Malachi, whose prophecy closes the OT cannon. Many wondered if John was the Christ. He seems to have been questioned about that on many occasions. But John was very aware of the fact that he was not the Christ, but he was the prophetic forerunner of the Christ. He referred to himself as the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy:

Isaiah 40:3 NASB 95

A voice is calling, “Clear the way for the Lord in the wilderness; Make smooth in the desert a highway for our God.

Our text simply states in verse 8

John 1:8 NASB 95

He was not the Light, but he came to testify about the Light.

Later on in this chapter John will identify the light as he cries out his witness to the Light.

John 1:29 NASB 95

The next day he saw Jesus coming to him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!

A little further down in our text we find John the Baptist giving another testimony about Jesus. Look at verse 15.

John 1:15 NASB 95

John testified about Him and cried out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.’ ”

John understood that Jesus was eternal. Even though Jesus was six months younger than John, he recognized that Jesus was of a higher rank than he. He recognized that Jesus was eternally God of very God.

The second witness to the Light is the narrator of this historical narrative — the Apostle John. This entire book is a witness to the Light, just as the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke are as well.

John the Beloved apostle gives this testimony in verse 9.

John 1:9 NASB 95

There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man.

Sadly, most whom Christ came to did not perceive who He truly was. It was this lack of perception that eventually led to the cross. But don’t think for a moment that the cross thwarted God’s plan — for it was God’s predetermined plan for Jesus to die on the cross to save His people from their sins.

Still, it is sad that His own people rejected Him then, and for the most part are still rejecting Him now. Look at verses 10-11.

John 1:10–11 NASB 95

He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him.

Because most of us are so familiar with the end of the story, it is hard for us to understand why His own people rejected Him. We must remember that they did not have the complete story as we do. And yet, even with the complete revelation of God which we carry in our hands — the Bible — still most of mankind continues to reject Christ. And that is because God, in His sovereign wisdom, has allowed for Satan to put a blinder on the hearts of mankind. It requires the supernatural work of the triune God to remove the veil and make a person alive in Christ.

Thankfully John’s narrative about Christ’s reception doesn’t end on this note. For those who have been made alive in Christ there is a different outcome. Look at verses 12-13.

John 1:12–13 NASB 95

But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

Those who are made alive in Christ are those who have been twice — they have been born by natural means as all of mankind has. But if left in this condition a person is a stillborn. They are members of the walking dead. Those in Christ have been born again, not by natural means, but by the will of God.

There is more to the witness of the Apostle John, and he brings his brother James, and well as Peter into this testimony. Look at verse 14.

John 1:14 NASB 95

And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Here is the incarnation of Jesus. He always existed as the second person of the Godhead. But now He is the God become man. Paul wrote of this in his epistle to the Philippians.

Philippians 2:5–8 NASB 95

Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Jesus was born in the shadow of a tree. He was born to die that man might live.

Look at verse 14 again.

John 1:14 NASB 95

And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.

When states that “we saw His glory” it could be a reference to all of the apostles seeing in glory in the works which He accomplished. It could be a reference to all in Israel seeing His glory in that way as well. But I take it as a reference to when Peter, James, and John accompanied Jesus to Mount of Transfiguration, and He was transfigured before their very eyes. Matthew wrote of this event, even though he was not an eye witness to it.

Matthew 17:1–2 NASB 95

Six days later Jesus took with Him Peter and James and John his brother, and led them up on a high mountain by themselves. And He was transfigured before them; and His face shone like the sun, and His garments became as white as light.

When they arrived on that holy mountain Jesus appeared as He always had done so — as a man. But suddenly the veil was removed and He shone with the glory that was His from the very beginning — the glory of the only begotten of the Father full of grace and truth.

John went on to compare Jesus with Moses. Look at verses 16-17.

John 1:16–17 NASB 95

For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace. For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ.

Those who are in Christ have received the fullness of Christ. In God’s extravagant grace He has credited us with the righteousness of Christ. Therefore, when a believer stands before God at the Bema seat judgment, God will see Christ’s righteousness applied to his or her account.

God’s grace save us, His grace leads us through the journey of this life. His grace teaches us to deny ungodliness and wordly lust, and to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world, as we wait for the glorious appearing our our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.

Moses, the leader of Israel’s exodus from bondage in Egypt, received the law and gave it to God’s covenant people. Jesus, the leader of the believer’s exodus from bondage to sin, brought grace and truth.

Note that,

All Believers Are Called to Testify to Christ

It is not just the apostle who are to be witnesses of Christ. We all are given a commission to go and make disciples. May the Lord light a fire in our hearts to do that very thing this day!

So far, we have looked at Christmas communication, light, and testimony. Let’s turn our attention now to

Christmas Explanation

There are a lot of things about God and His way which we will never understand. That is because God hasn’t revealed them to us — they are the secret things of God. But those things which He has revealed to us, He has done so in order that we may live by them. In His Word, God has truly given the believer everything we need to know for life and godliness in Christ Jesus.

The work of Christ on earth was at least in three distinct areas. First,

He Taught His Followers the True Way of God

Second,

He Validated that Teaching Through the Miraculous Works which He Performed

And third,

He Died as the Substitutionary Lamb of God Who Takes Away the Sins of the World

Look at what John said about Christmas explanation in verse 18.

John 1:18 NASB 95

No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him.

God the Father, as well as God the Spirit are invisible. The old hymn states it so well:

Immortal, invisible God only wise

In light inaccessible hid from our eyes

Though no ordinary man has ever seen God — Jesus, who is in the Father’s bosom has seen Him.

John 6:46 NASB 95

Not that anyone has seen the Father, except the One who is from God; He has seen the Father.

And the Eternal Son of God has explained Him to us.

Hughes wrote, “Jesus is the explanation (the exegesis) of God the Father. The greatness of Christ explains the greatness of the Father. The greatness of Christ’s love explains the greatness of the Father’s love. And the greatness of Christ’s grace explains the greatness of the Father’s grace. May we continue to have our concept of God raised!” (R. Kent Hughes, John: That You May Believe, Preaching the Word (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 1999), 22.)

Where are you in your relation to Jesus? As I stated last week, there are only three valid responses to the truth of Jesus. A person my respond with hostility. A person may respond with indifference. Or a person may respond in faith. Have you responded in faith to Christ? If so, then you have been born again by the will of God. Rejoice and be glad for great is your reward in heaven. And the best way to thank God for this eternal life you have received is by sharing the good news of Christ with others!

If you have responded with either hostility or indifference, and you do not repent and believe the gospel, you are still in your sins and you will receive the full wait of God’s wrath against your sins. If this is you, won’t you pray that God would help you with your unbelief. Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved today!

Let’s pray.

Lord, You are the creator of heaven and earth and everything that is in them. You have created us to worship You, and I pray that we truly are worshiping You in spirit and in truth.

We who are believers in Jesus Christ are such because You have set Your love upon us. O how I thank You for such extravagant love!

Lord, I pray for any here who are not believers, I pray that You would set Your love upon them, and draw them to Jesus Christ. I pray that they would be wondrously saved and transformed by You Spirit working with Your Word.

I pray these things in the name of the One who is called the Word — in Jesus Name — Amen.

Closing Song: # 292

Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne

Verses 1, 2, 4 & 5

Thou didst leave They throne and Thy kingly crown when Thou camest to earth for me; But in Bethlehem’s home was there found no room for Thy holy nativity.

O come to my heart, Lord Jesus — there is room in my heart for Thee!

Heaven’s arches rang when the angels sang, proclaiming Thy royal degree; But of lowly birth didst Thou come to earth, and in great humility.

O come to my heart, Lord Jesus — there is room in my heart for Thee!

Thou camest, O Lord with the living word that should set Thy people free; But with mocking scorn and with crown of thorn they bore Thee to Calvary.

O come to my heart, Lord Jesus — there is room in my heart for Thee!

When the heav’ns shall ring and the angels sing at Thy coming to victory, Let Thy voice call me home, saying “Yet there is room — there is room at My side for thee.”

My heart shall rejoice, Lord Jesus, When Thou comest and callest for me!

Romans 15:13 NASB 95

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.