Brief Background:

St John the Apostle was one of the Twelve Apostles and the disciple closest to Jesus, often called the Beloved Disciple. He was present at key moments of Jesus’ life, including the Last Supper, the Crucifixion—where Jesus entrusted Mary to his care—and the Resurrection. Tradition holds that John is the author of the Gospel of John, three letters, and the Book of Revelation, written to strengthen early Christian communities in faith and love. His writings emphasize the Incarnation, truth, and communion with God, capturing his central message: God is love. He is the patron saint of theologians, writers, publishers, artists, friendship, and fidelity.

REFLECTION:

We continue the Octave of Christmas and move more deeply into the Christmas season. The Church, like a mother, refuses to rush past the mystery we have just celebrated. She asks us to stay, to gaze, and to reflect on what it means that a Child has been born for us.

When a newborn comes into the world and is now with us, one simple question arises: What do we need to do for this child?
Of course, the answer is to care for the child—to hold, feed, protect, and remain close. And something beautiful happens in that care: the one who tends to the child begins to form a bond, and the child, in turn, begins to recognize and trust the one who cares for them. Love grows through presence. Relationship is formed through closeness.

This is exactly the image that lies beneath today’s reading from St John the Apostle. When John opens his letter, he does not speak in theories or abstractions. He speaks like someone who has held the Child, who has stayed close long enough to be changed:

“What we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we looked upon and touched with our hands…”

John is giving us apostolic witness. He is saying: This is not a story passed down at a distance. This is a life we encountered, a relationship we lived. Just as caring for a newborn creates a bond, so remaining close to Jesus—the Word made flesh—creates communion with God.

And John tells us why he shares this witness: so that we too may have fellowship—with the apostles, with one another, and ultimately with the Father and the Son. The result of this closeness, he says, is complete joy.

During this Christmas season, the question before us is simple but challenging:

• Are we willing to care for the life of Christ that has been entrusted to us?
• Are we willing to stay close enough—through prayer, sacrament, and love—to let a real relationship form?



Christmas does not end with the birth. Like a newborn placed in our arms, Christ invites us into ongoing care, ongoing presence, and ongoing witness. And if we remain close, John assures us, joy will follow—not a shallow happiness, but the deep joy that comes from communion with God made flesh.