Christmas Season · Year A
Second Sunday after Christmas Day
January 4, 2026
Overview & Insights
“From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.” (John 1:16)
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. The prologue also stands somewhat apart from the rest of the Gospel stylistically.
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Commentary
John 1:(1-9), 10-18 Working Preacher
Luther Seminary's exegetical take on the prologue for this specific Sunday.
John 1:(1-9), 10-18 Center for Excellence in Preaching
A Reformed commentary with preaching notes and sermon ideas on the Word made flesh.
Bishop Barron on the Prologue of John Word on Fire · Bishop Barron
A Catholic reflection on John's Christmas prologue.
John 1 Enduring Word · David Guzik
An evangelical verse-by-verse study of John 1.
Background & Word Study
Jesus the Word Become Flesh in John 1 Psephizo · Ian Paul
Unpacks the Greek and theology of the Logos becoming flesh.
John 1 Enter the Bible
A concise scholarly summary and background for the Gospel of John.
Overview: John BibleProject
An animated overview mapping the literary design of John's Gospel.
Enter the Bible: John Enter the Bible
Luther Seminary's scholarly introduction to John's Gospel and its prologue.
The Church Fathers
Worship & Prayers
Questions preachers ask
How does the second Sunday after Christmas differ from Christmas Day, when the reading is nearly the same?
The lectionary extends the prologue to verse 18 and so ends somewhere else. Christmas Day stops at the Word made flesh; this Sunday carries on to grace upon grace, the law through Moses set beside grace and truth through Jesus Christ, and the Son who has made the unseen God known.
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- Full sermons on John 1:(1-9), 10-18
- Illustrations cleared for use in worship
- Commentary, quotes, and Bible dictionary
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