Our first Sunday of the year 2014. How shall we begin our new year? You may already have come up with resolutions, to challenge yourself or even make changes in your life that will make a difference on your health, your spirituality, or even seeking a new opportunity for a new job. Whatever they may be, the gospel reading for this coming Sunday may help us by reaffirming our identity, the very foundation of who we are, that will enable us to make necessary changes in the way we do things or respond or engage with the everyday and people around us. But before we begin to think about this, I want to remind us that the Christmas season is not over. Just because the frenzy at the shopping mall is slowing down or the Christmas tree was taken down and left by the sidewalk does not mean Christmas is over. As a matter of fact, as Christians, Christmas is really not about a holiday or shopping or vacation or even annual candlelight service attendance, but much more. It's about faith witness of God's loving act in human history that permeates throughout the year.

So it's fitting that according to the gospel of John, there are no angels, Mary and Joseph, shining star above or Magi's visit with their treasured gifts. John's version is simply stated, "the word became flesh and dwelled among us." That's it. And the lesson continues, those who receive this "word became flesh" God gave them the power to become God's children, born not of the flesh or by the will of human beings, but by the will of God." In other words, there is nothing in this world that can define you. Only God can. At the core of our identity is God's given identity as God's beloved. John's Christmas story is not concerned with the birth of a baby Jesus in Bethlehem, but is concerned about who we are. John is more concerned about the birthing of God in you and me. This is a very important truth we need to touch base with before we begin our new year, because you and I know that from our past and future to come, more often than not, we can easily be seduced to think and behave as if people, good/bad experiences, achievements/failures, possessions, short comings, hurts and shame define us. They do not. We are God's children. We are deserving of love and respect, and God will use us to change the world. WOW. Imagine that. Yes you read that correctly. God will use you to change the world. God will use us, God's beloved, to make a difference in the coming year. Factor this truth as you think about new resolutions! So, come, let us worship God and listen to this good news, God's voice that says you are my children, my beloved. Amen.

Pastor Dae