The Mystery and Gift of Christmas
Angelus Address of Pope John Paul II, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2004

1. ... "In the beginning," John wrote, "was the Word..." (Jn 1: 1). The Greek word is "Logos", but in the Apostle's mind the reference is to "Wisdom", which is personified in the Old Testament as the Being who regulates the cosmos and history: "...and the Word was with God and the Word was God... all things were made through Him".

2. Here, however, comes the surprising affirmation: "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us" (Jn 1: 14). John himself, who fixes his gaze of faith on the divine origins of Christ, forcefully insists on the reality of his Incarnation. He juxtaposes two seemingly incompatible words: "Word" and "flesh". Yes! Jesus is true God and true man. He is the Only-Begotten Son of God, whom John and the other Apostles have "seen", "heard" and "touched" (cf. I Jn 1: 1-3). In his humanity dwells the whole fullness of his divinity (cf. Col 2: 9).

3. Dear friends, guided by the Evangelist John, let us draw near to the mystery of the Child of Bethlehem in whom God fully revealed His face. Let us reflect in silence with the Virgin Mary before the eternal Word who for our sake made himself a tiny child. Today, as He did then, He gives to those who believe in His name the "power to become children of God" (cf. Jn 1: 12). This is the mystery and the gift of Christmas!