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 to be through him, and without him nothing came to be. What came to be through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race;
the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
A man named John was sent from God.
He came for testimony, to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him.
He was not the light, but came to testify to the light.
The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.
He was in the world, and the world came to be through him, but the world did not know him.
He came to what was his own, but his own people did not accept him.
But to those who did accept him he gave power to become children of God, to those who believe in his name, who were born not by natural generation nor by human choice nor by a man's decision but of God.
And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father's only Son, full of grace and truth.
John testified to him and cried out, saying, "This was he of whom I said, 'The one who is coming after me ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.'"
From his fullness we have all received, grace in place of grace, because while the law was given through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
No one has ever seen God. The only Son, God, who is at the Father's side, has revealed him.

John 1:1-18.
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   From a sermon by Saint Quodvultdeus, bishop.

   A tiny child is born, who is a great king. Wise men are led to him from afar. They come to adore one who lies in a manger and yet reigns
in heaven and on earth. When they tell of one who is born a king. Herod is disturbed. To save his kingdom he resolves to kill him. though if he would have faith in the child. he himself would reign in peace in this life and for ever in the life to come.

   Why are you afraid. Herod, when you hear of the birth of a king? He does not come to drive you out. but to conquer the devil. But because you do not understand this you are disturbed and in a rage. and to destroy one child whom you seek. you show your cruelty m the death of so many children.

   You are not restrained by the love of weeping mothers or fathers mourning the deaths of their sons. nor by the cries and sobs of the children. You destroy those who are tiny in body because fear is destroying your heart. You imagine that if you accomplish your desire you can prolong your own life. though you are seeking to kill Life himself.