Friday, December 31

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.
—John 1:1-5

“My word is my bond.” “She’s a person who keeps her word.” “You have my word on it.” “His word is law.”

Clearly, word as it’s used in these examples stands for a great deal more than a unit of speech or meaning. It represents not just a person’s mind, but also his or her identity and integrity. It is something we produce, but also a facet of who we are. It is created, and yet a fundamental part of our nature.

One of the most poetic passages in scripture, the first chapter of the gospel according to John tells us that God’s Word is no different. Put another way, it is God’s nature to communicate and create. Indeed, he has never been silent. As part and parcel of God, this Word is also an image of who God is; what it communicates to us is nothing less than God himself. This is a Word we can trust.

O God, as I once again enter the mystery of your Incarnation, let your Word resonate through my life and emerge as a song of praise.

These Signposts originally appeared on explorefaith in 2004.