Saint John, Apostle and Evangelist

The Collect
Shed upon your Church, O Lord, the brightness of your light, that we, being illumined by the teaching of your apostle and evangelist John, may so walk in the light of your truth, that at length we may attain to the fullness of eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Psalm

92

The Readings

Exodus 33:18-23     +     I John 1:1-9     +     John 21:19b-24

We declare to you what was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life-- this life was revealed, and we have seen it and testify to it, and declare to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us . . . 

~I John 1:1-2

John's Gospel is the last of the four canonical gospels, both in its place of order in the Bible and in its date of composition. The Gospel is symbolized by an eagle, reflecting the traditional view that the Fourth Gospel is the most mystical, peering into heaven, as it were. The opening verses of the Gospel, "the Prologue," contain lofty language about the eternal and divine nature of the Word (logos in Greek) of God, which "was made flesh and dwelt among us" (John 1:14). Its language is echoed in the first epistle of John, as well as in the hymn, Of the Father's love begotten. Written in Latin in the fourth century by the poet Aurelius Prudentius, the following translation can be found in our hymnal (Hymn 82), and speaks of the revealing of the face of the God who in former times none could see and live (Exodus 33:20).

Closing Prayer

Thank you, Lord, for pouring upon us the new light of your incarnate Word: Grant that this light, enkindled in our hearts, may shine forth in our lives; through that same Word, your Son our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

~adapted from the Collect for the First Sunday after Christmas Day