In the Beginning – Today’s scripture is the familiar passage opening the Fourth Gospel: “In the beginning was the Word . . .”  With those words we are celebrating Christmas in July to focus on the meaning of the birth of Jesus, the mystery of the incarnation.  For Christmas proper we always rehearse the story of Mary, Joseph, and the birth of the baby from Luke.  But in this prologue to the Fourth Gospel, there’s no “how” with Mary and Joseph, but more a “why” for the incarnation of God into the world.  This account is high and lofty in its Christology – God who was, is, and always will be, and in the beginning was the Word and that Word became flesh among us.  Although the traditional stories in Luke and Matthew are valuable and treasured, this prologue in John assures us that God has always been and is always with us.  It is this God, who has always been, and who has created everything, who is always with us.  We are assured that the light is never overcome by darkness, and this is our hope and our way.   (NOTE: We are in a new summer schedule for Sundays continuing through June and July with a single worship service at 10 o’clock.  NOTE: Reflecting the importance of the Word, the video begins with the scripture, but once it starts you can scroll back to the beginning of the service if you want.  The entire service is videoed.)