If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 1 John 1:6-7

Two days following the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus, the Church remembers the apostle John, beloved disciple and witness to the life, death and resurrection of Christ Jesus. John is an apostle, a pastor, and a teacher connecting the gospel to daily life. His intended purpose is to teach the early Church concerning what was from the beginning, the things heard and seen; the things he had looked upon and touched with his hands concerning the Word of life.

What humanity must remember from the beginning is that God placed limits on what humans should and should not do. From the beginning, God’s desire was to supply all that is needed for humanity to live in his abundant and all-encompassing love. Adam and Eve disobeyed God, ate from the forbidden fruit and thus sin entered the world. As John walked with Christ, he witnessed God’s answer to sin, the answer he gave from the beginning, light and life. Walking in the light of Christ we recognize where we fall short of God’s intentions, confess our sin and receive the full measure of God’s forgiveness and grace.

Today, God calls all Christians to follow John’s example and bear witness to these things seen and heard. Through the lens of faith and the words of Holy Scripture, we too are able to share the good news concerning God’s redeeming grace through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. Through Jesus Christ, fellowship between God and humanity is restored.

Merciful Father, we give you thanks for your grace and for the witness of John. Give us all strong voices, that we too might proclaim your gospel of light and life; in Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.