Colten Wilson
I’ve been thinking about how most of the historically significant events that happen in our lifetimes or that have happened in history are conveyed to us by witnesses. In our times we have near-instant access to pictures, videos, audio recordings of events, and sometimes listen and watch through these media as the events are unfolding (livestream!). But for the most part, we ourselves are not there but these cameras and recording devices are mechanical witnesses, beaming content to our phones, laptops, and TVs, without which we could not see or hear for ourselves what happened.
As ubiquitous as cameras are, though, we still rely on the accounts of journalists to set down in print an account of what unfolded when and where, and who was involved. And here, too, in setting out these accounts, journalists are tasked with finding witnesses who can give a reliable account of what happened if the journalists cannot give a first-hand account themselves.
So it seems to me that in our modern times, despite our technological advantages, we are still creatures bound by time and space and therefore, if we were not “there,” are as reliant on the accounts of witnesses in our present age as those who lived during the time of Jesus.
The accounts we consider today, of John the Apostle and John the Baptist, should hit us with equal force as they did the original audiences:
“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life—the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us….” (1 John 1:1-2, emphasis mine)
It has been proclaimed to us by those who had a first-hand account: Eternal life through Jesus Christ, who is Light and in whom there is no darkness at all.
And from John the Baptist:
“And John bore witness: ‘I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, “He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.” And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.’” (John 1:32-34, emphasis mine)
So what now? We have read the accounts by those who witnessed what took place. And even those who saw Jesus with their own eyes had a choice to make. In essence, we have been told What, but now we must ask ourselves, So What? In these passages, in the story of Christmas, in Christ himself, is an invitation to respond—an invitation to believe.
“Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life.” (John 3:36)
In the words of “The Boy in the Manger,”
Hey you
Come on in
Come on in
Behold what is to begin
Song: The Boy in the Manger by Hymns from Nineveh.
O God, the light of the minds that know you, the life of the souls that love you, and the strength of the wills that serve you: Help us so to know you that we may truly love you, and so to love you that we may fully serve you, whom to serve is perfect freedom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.