1/4/15
Chris Breslin
John 1:9-18
“The core idea of the Christian faith is the incarnation.” -Michael Frost
“The Gospel writers are trying to teaching us to become more interesting people–by teaching us to be more interesting readers.” -Richard Hays
“THE WORLD is charged with the grandeur of God.
It will flame out, like shining from shook foil;
It gathers to a greatness, like the ooze of oil
Crushed. Why do men then now not reck his rod?
Generations have trod, have trod, have trod;
And all is seared with trade; bleared, smeared with toil;
And wears man’s smudge and shares man’s smell: the soil
Is bare now, nor can foot feel, being shod.
And for all this, nature is never spent;
There lives the dearest freshness deep down things;
And though the last lights off the black West went
Oh, morning, at the brown brink eastward, springs—
Because the Holy Ghost over the bent
World broods with warm breast and with ah! bright wings.” -Gerard Manley Hopkins
“For the Christmas spirit is the spirit of those who, like their Master, live their whole lives on the principle of making themselves poor – spending and being spent – to enrich their fellowmen, giving time, trouble, care and concern to do good to others – and not just their own friends – in whatever way there seems need.” -J.I. Packer
“Christ became man so that man might become divine.” -Athanasius
“A life of hospitality begins in worship, with a recognition of God’s grace and generosity. Hospitality is not first a duty and responsibility; it is first a response of love and gratitude for God’s love and welcome to us.” -Christine Pohl
Resources for John 1
On the Incarnation by Athanasius
Anchor Bible Commentary: John by Fr. Raymond Brown
The Gospel of John, A Commentary by Frederick Dale Bruner
Incarnate: The Body of Christ in an Age of Disengagement by Michael Frost
Major Works by Gerard Manley Hopkins
Christ Plays in Ten Thousand Places by Eugene Peterson
Making Room by Christine Pohl
