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Christmas Season · Second Sunday after Christmas Day · Year C

John 1:1-18 or John 1:1-5, 9-14

The Word Became Flesh

January 2, 2028

Christ Pantokrator, dome mosaic, Unknown Byzantine master ("Master of Daphni")
Christ Pantokrator, dome mosaic, Unknown Byzantine master ("Master of Daphni"), c. 1090–1100Monastery of Daphni
In the dome of a Byzantine monastery outside Athens, looking straight down at anyone standing beneath. The face is severe and asymmetrical, and the gold around it is set at angles to catch the light.No one has ever seen God; it is God the only Son who has made him known. The prologue says the invisible has been shown, and this is the oldest answer to what that looks like.Monastery of DaphniAn eleventh-century Byzantine monastery outside Athens, built on the site of a temple of Apollo, with the finest mosaics in Greece.Monastery of Daphni
Roman Lectionary
GospelJohn 1:1-18Jn 1:1-18 orJohn 1:1-5, 9-14Jn 1:1-5, 9-14
Second ReadingEph. 1:3-6, 15-18Eph 1:3-6, 15-18
First ReadingSir. 24:1-4, 12-16Sir 24:1-4, 12-16
Responsorial PsalmPs. 147:12-13, 14-15, 19-20 (John 1:4)Ps 147:12-13, 14-15, 19-20 (Jn 1:4)

Overview & Insights

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory.” (John 1:14)

The prologue is set apart from the rest of John’s Gospel by its designation of Jesus Christ as the Word (Gr.: logos , vv. 1, 14) rather than “the Son.” The term One and Only (implying sonship) is introduced, however, in verses 14 and 18 and sets the stage for the Gospel’s characteristic emphasis on the Father-Son relationship between God and Jesus.

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Take it further: John 1:1-18 or John 1:1-5, 9-14

Commentary

Commentary on John 1:(1-9), 10-18Commentary on Jn 1:(1-9), 10-18 Working Preacher

Working Preacher's reading of the prologue as John's own birth narrative.

John 1:(1-9), 10-18Jn 1:(1-9), 10-18 Center for Excellence in Preaching

Preaching notes on the Word's coming to his own and the gift of becoming God's children.

John 1 CommentaryJn 1 Commentary Enduring Word · David Guzik

A verse by verse evangelical walkthrough of the prologue.

John 1:1 CommentariesJn 1:1 Commentaries BibleHub

A side by side library of classic commentaries on the opening verse.

John 1 (Gill's Exposition)Jn 1 (Gill's Exposition) StudyLight

Gill's full verse by verse notes on the prologue.

John 1 (Barnes' Notes)Jn 1 (Barnes' Notes) StudyLight

Barnes' concise nineteenth century notes on the prologue.

John 1 CommentaryJn 1 Commentary Precept Austin

A devotional, cross-reference heavy commentary aimed at personal Bible study.

The Second Sunday of Christmas, Year C Catholic Productions · Brant Pitre

Brant Pitre walks through all four Mass readings, including the Johannine prologue.

Background & Word Study

John 1:1 InterlinearJn 1:1 Interlinear BibleHub

Greek text with parsing for the opening verses of the prologue.

John (Chapters 1-12) OverviewJn (Chapters 1-12) Overview BibleProject

A video walkthrough of the design and themes of John's Gospel.

The Church Fathers

Catena on John 1Catena on Jn 1 Catena

Patristic comments on the prologue collected verse by verse.

Art & Music

Art in the Christian Tradition Vanderbilt

A curated image index for this reading across the history of Christian art.

Questions preachers ask

What does John's prologue add to the Christmas story?

Where Luke gives the manger, John gives its meaning: the eternal Word through whom all things were made became flesh, full of grace and truth, the light no darkness can overcome.

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