Grace Upon Grace

“From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. The Law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” John 1:16-17

We will be celebrating Epiphany at Grace tomorrow, which means we won’t be observing the Second Sunday of Christmas. We made the decision several years ago to transfer Epiphany to a Sunday because it is such an important festival and, well, very few people were gathering for worship on January 6 unless it happened to fall on a Sunday.

This means, however, that we will not be hearing the texts appointed for Christmas 2, including the Gospel reading, John 1:1-18. Of course, we read most of John’s prologue on Christmas morning. The addition for tomorrow includes verses 15-18. It’s a nice meditation for a week or so after Christmas. I am certainly looking back fondly on all that I’ve received this season. I’m not speaking of the gifts I’ve been given (although the Death Star cheese board is lovely). It has simply been a wonderful span of days spent with family and a season of meaningful worship opportunities, both via livestream and in small groups gathered around the Lord’s table to receive the grace given in Christ’s body and blood.

There has been a lot of focus on all that was lost in 2020. This is appropriate. But we have also received much, grace upon grace. For the gift of the Christ child is given, calling us into grace and truth. Tomorrow, we’ll journey with the Magi, following the light that leads us to the Light. And, we pray, to a better year.

Be well, friends. You are loved.

God of grace and truth, we thank you for taking on our flesh and revealing your glory in Christ. Open our hearts to receive your goodness and observer your presence. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Image: A gift from a parishioner. They know me so well!