My friend & long-time partner in worship ministry at Trinity, Jerry Flasschoen recently described the first chapter of John at a Christmas dinner. His description touched my heart. I asked him to write out what he said that I might share it with you. Enjoy!

Bill Born

A number of years ago, I had the privilege of touring in Europe.  One of the cities I visited was Cologne, Germany.  While there, I entered the cathedral. It was immense in size and at once I felt as if I had been pulled into the very presence of God.  A sense of quietness, awe, and wonder overcame me.  I was reminded again of God’s greatness and majesty.  I felt very small.  I was also reminded that God became man and died for me that I might know Him personally.  Joy filled my heart and I was thrilled that God chose not to remain mighty and distant but to humble Himself and take on human flesh for someone like me.

The apostle John creates this same sense of quietness, wonder, and awe in the first chapter of his gospel.  He gives us a window into the very throne room of heaven itself.  The Synoptic Gospels read like the hustle and bustle of the marketplace, the action on the highway, and in the crossroads of human commerce.  But in John one has turned into a quiet cathedral, where he is called upon to meditate upon the deep things of the Eternal Son of God – the Word made flesh!

As I quietly reflect on this season, my heart is filled with the joy and thankfulness for the Lord Jesus, who was born, crucified, and raised to life so that I, through His poverty, might become rich.  May the words of John 1:14 continue to quiet us and cause us to reflect on this truth with much joy, “And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

– Jerry Flasschoen