I John 1 "What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we beheld and our hands handled, concerning the Word of life..."   The "Word of Life"  ... this is what.. who John proclaims.. taking our thoughts back to the Gospel account.. " In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God... and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.." ( John 1:1,14)

John listened carefully to Jesus. He knew the sound of His voice, the expressions He made, the distinct pattern of His words.  He heard Jesus sing. He heard Jesus weep. He heard Jesus pray.. 

John saw with his own eyes.. Jesus walking on the water; Jesus touching the leper and the blind man; he saw Jesus on the cross and in the upper room, having come out of the grave.  John touched Jesus.  He laid his head on His chest in the upper room. He had his feet washed by Jesus's hands. 

John wants us to know how deeply personal his message is.. he is proclaiming something so real and so vital.. "the life was manifested.. "  The Word was made known.. made visible..exposed and declared.. in the flesh and blood of Jesus Christ.  He, who was hidden in the Father, became visible in the flesh, so that eternal life could be possible for us. You can sense John's deep love for the Savior in these words. 

The message of Christ Jesus is proclaimed.. "that you also may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ." 

Here is what makes John's joy complete.. "this fellowship" - this intimate partnership and communion of God with His children... with all who come to Christ through the message that He brought.. and the sacrifice He made. 

" And this is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is light and in Him there is no darkness at all." 

God has sent the Light of the world so that we could see Him clearly. In the Light we can find forgiveness and cleansing from sin. In the Light we can find life. In the Light we see the Truth.  

Light exposes the darkness. Darkness is the place of sin.. the place of deception.. the place that is outside of the fellowship that Jesus came to give us with our Heavenly Father.. eternally!

Father in heaven, how can we thank You enough for the great salvation that has come through Jesus Christ Your Beloved Son!  Thank You for the Word who became flesh and dwelt on earth.. who gave us the good news that the Kingdom of God is near.. that it dwells within us when we come into fellowship with You through His blood.  May our joy be made complete.. as John's was.. as we see others come into that same fellowship with You.  Manifest Your love and grace in us, Lord, so that the good news will be proclaimed once again this Christmas season. In the Name that is above all names we pray. Jesus Christ is our Lord.. Amen.