Today, the Western church celebrates the memory of St. John the Evangelist. There are a lot of traditions mixed with this holiday, which I’m not comfortable with. Part of the problem with paying attention to the church year is knowing how to sift through the accretions of tradition and culture. But, we can certainly see the value in meditating on the profound teachings of this “Beloved Disciple.” In John 1, we read one of the most sublime passages in Scripture, which describes the miracle of the Incarnation. Surely this is worth our attention during the “Twelve Days of Christmas” (actually it’s the 12 days after Christmas).
The Anglican Book of Common Prayer has a good selection of Scriptures to mediate and pray through on this day, a special day to remember the Light which came into the world. Again, the point of observing the church year is not to accept it all as straight from Mt. Sinai. But, it does help us to focus on different aspects of our faith in a disciplined way. May we be like John, and gain a deeper appreciation of how this Light transforms the darkness.
Collect for the Day
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.
Another illuminating meditation–thanks!