What better place to start a new “church year” than at the beginning. St. John goes back to the beginning at the “beginning” of the Gospel that bares his name.

And we know what was in the beginning. In the beginning was the Word. The Word is at the beginning of this Church year – at the beginning of this Gospel – at the beginning of our midweek Advent Services – at the beginning of another Christmas Season which actually seemed to start somewhere around the middle of October.

If you haven’t caught on – the idea for Midweek Services this year is the beginning. In the beginning was the Word. In the beginning was the Life. In the beginning was the Light. All of these are talking about the very same person. He is the one we worship – the one we count on – the one we include – the one we go to in times of trouble – the one who stood in our stead before the heavenly Father and pleaded for our life as He gave up His – Jesus the Lord! These evenings (mornings) we will stand together, at the beginning, and consider what makes our life in Christ what it is today.

But first, as we stand at the beginning, what do you suppose St. John meant by saying, “In the beginning was the Word.”? This term, “word” has a variety of connotations. It can mean the spoken word – that is, what we utter. It can also mean the unspoken word – that is, what we think – our reason. The word can mean a universal principle that guides and directs all things – the word that governs us – or it can refer to a thought or an idea bound by time and space. As one can tell, the word “word” can mean a lot of different things to different people.

But we are not confused by what John is saying. The reason: for the Jew it also had a specific meaning. That meaning is God.

Logos is the Greek word that means, “Word.” There is no doubt that the “Word” refers to Jesus. How do we know that for sure? Because John tells us in verse fourteen. “The Word became flesh and made its dwelling among us.” The Word that John talks about is more than just reason, a thought, and idea or a principle. The Word became something tangible, something visible, something seen by the human eye. The Word became flesh and began to walk around talking to people, performing miraculous signs and wonders. The Word pointed out that He was the fulfillment of the New Covenant by showing that His death would mean our life.

In the beginning – was the Word. In the beginning… the beginning of what? In the beginning of all things – there was also the Word. This is so important. The second person of the Trinity was not created along the way. He was not invented by God the Father some two thousand years ago so that He could be born in Bethlehem. No, the second person of the Trinity, John would point out, existed from the “beginning.” Our Lord is Father, Son, and Holy Ghost – from the beginning. So the Logos was from the beginning just like John would say.

And it is important to make a distinction as well. John does. The Word was not the Father. That’s the reason why John says, “The Word was with God.” With God! We hear this and understand this so that we know that according to the personhood of our Lord, there is a distinct, Father, Son and Holy Ghost. It’s get tricky. It’s not easily comprehended. The Father is God, the Son is God and the Holy Spirit is God, but they are not three God – they are one God. John wants us to know that he is talking about the Son – the Word made Flesh – Jesus our Lord – the Logos.

Yet, let us not fall into the trap of thinking that Jesus is “less than God” because Jesus is referred to as being “with” God. Remember, John says, “the Word WAS God.” The Word was WITH God and the Word WAS God. Are you confused yet?

Beloved in the Lord, don’t be. Know that our Lord, in all that He is, remains beyond our understanding. But here is the Advent hope for you and me. This season we ponder our Lord and His coming for us. Not so much His coming at Christmas as a small child in a manger. That will come to. We will hear about that many times over. Rather, we will consider our Lord’s coming again. How will that happen? How will our Lord manage that?

By fulfilling a promise – that’s how. For Advent we keep in mind our Lord’s coming again. And if He can be from the beginning – If God can come in the flesh – If He could die – be buried and rise to life again – then He most certainly can come again. And He will – for you and for me. He is a God of kept promises. He is our God – that’s a promise. We are His people by grace through faith – that is a promise. That will never change. No matter how much changes in our lives – God never changes and neither do His promises for us. So, in the midst of crises, uncertainty or fear, our Lord promises to be there and to never let go. He came to be LIKE us that He could be WITH us.

The Word is God, the Word is With God and the Word is Jesus for you and for me. Come; let us take a journey together during this season of hope called Advent and call to mind what God means to us and what He has already promised to do from the very beginning. Look how He loves you – from the very beginning. Amen.

The peace of God which passes all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.