Friends, Today is the feast day of St. John the Apostle, the most profound writer of the New Testament. The others are surely inspired, holy, and glorious in their histories and epistles, but John shines with the eternal light manifested in a higher way. All is light and love for him. The Incarnation is displayed in us, for the world to see by our love for one another! 1 John 4:7-12 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. Does anyone know of Anglican or broad Christian traditions & festivities associated with this Third Day of Christmas, and St. John? Any good Collects or Prayers to share?
The Collect for today in the Canadian Book of Common Prayer, 1962: MERCIFUL Lord, we beseech thee to cast thy bright beams of light upon thy Church, that it being enlightened by the doctrine of thy blessed Apostle and Evangelist Saint John may so walk in the light of thy truth, that it may at length attain to the light of everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Here is Bach's cantata for today: Sehet, welch eine Liebe hat uns der Vater erzeiget, dass wir Gottes Kinder heißen. English translation... I. Mark ye how great a love this is that the Father hath shown us: that we should be called God's children. II. This hath he all for us now done His great love to show alone. Rejoice then all Christianity, Give thanks for this eternally. Kyrieleis! http://www.uvm.edu/~classics/faculty/bach/BWV64.html
I always thought if I would be an apostle I would love to be St.John!! I sadly do not know many stuff that I can add... But I will be looking forward to any addition
If you have any thoughts, reflections, or prayers that inspire you about John's Gospel, epistles, and Revelation, feel free to share them. What do you think of John's light, love, and incarnation-theology? He's all about the Trinity, too! Today our saint rejoices in Heaven at the spiritual birthday commemorated by us still here below. What an honour to be remembered so near to the Lord in the earthly calendar! Any favourite Johannine Verses would be good too! Though not related to the cantata posted above, here is a beautiful chorale stanza in English for this feast day: Today He opens new the door To that fair paradise; The cherub stands no more in front, God be laud, grace and praise. The Word of God is incarnate as our Lord & Saviour Jesus Christ, in order that He may be the "angel of good counsel" to relieve the Cherub and the Flaming Sword, opening the way once more - becoming, in the remembrance of John, The Way, the Truth, and the Life! Alleluia, for this little Child!
Oh, and I can't resist: two more chorale stanzas for Christmas III! I find my joy in thee And bid thee hearty welcome, My dearest Jesus-child! Thou hast here undertaken My brother dear to be. Ah, what a pleasing sound! How friendly he appears, This mighty Son of God! Lead on, 'tis my desire To cleave to thee, O Jesus, E'en though the world should break Into a thousand pieces. O Jesus, thou, just thou, Thou art my life alone; In thee, alone in thee, My Jesus, will I sleep.
One time when I was young I was early to class and I had time to pass by a nearby Church. I was feeling rather lonely that day. I sat and was reading when someone pokes me and hands out to me a small printed painting. It was St.John sleeping on the Last Supper table and Jesus looking so kindly on him. It warmed my heart... and I realized that this moment Christ is looking down on me in the same kindness He did to St John and I did not feel so alone anymore... I have managed to memorize John 1 It is written in such an expressive way! One of the most amazing verses in it is 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
Great reply, Incense! The lessons for today in the traditional Prayer Book(s) are all from John's writings, of course! They focus wholly on God's marvelous light, and the holy eternal splendour with which He shines, and which He plans to clothe us with, in Jesus Christ. We should be ever-ready to share this in word, action, song, and verse! Here are some anthems relating to Light, the Light of the World, and the mystical radiance of our Lord: HOLY IS THE LIGHT - William Harris HAIL, GLADDENING LIGHT - Charles Wood O LIGHT OF LIGHT - David Ashley White LEAD, KINDLY LIGHT - Robert Prizeman (more modern, performed by Libera with synthesizers! )
Hymn for St John the Evangelist's Day 'Word supreme before creation' John Keble 1792-1866 (English Hymnal, Hymns A&M, Lutheran Hymnal) Word supreme, before creation Born of God eternally, Who didst will for our salvation To be born on earth, and die; Well Thy saints have kept their station, Watching till Thine hour is nigh. Now ’tis come and faith espies Thee; Like an eaglet in the morn, One in steadfast worship eyes Thee; Thy beloved, Thy latest born; In Thy glory he descries Thee Reigning from the tree of scorn. He upon Thy bosom lying Thy true tokens learned by heart; And Thy dearest pledge in dying, Lord, Thou didst to him impart; Show’dst him how, all grace supplying, Blood and water from Thee start. He first hoping and believing Did beside the grave adore; Latest he, the warfare leaving, Landed on the eternal shore; And his witness we receiving Own Thee Lord forevermore. Much he asked in loving wonder, On Thy bosom leaning, Lord! In that secret place of thunder, Answer kind didst Thou accord, Wisdom for Thy church to ponder Till the day of dread award. Lo! Heav’n’s doors lift up, revealing How Thy judgments earthward move; Scrolls unfolded, trumpets pealing, Wine cups from the wrath above, Yet o’er all a soft voice stealing— “Little children, trust and love!” Thee, the Almighty King eternal, Father of the eternal word; Thee, the Father’s Word supernal, Thee, of both, the Breath adored; Heaven, and earth, and realms infernal Own, one glorious God and Lord. Post Communion from Exciting Holiness Grant, O Lord, we pray, that the Word made flesh proclaimed by your apostle John may, by the celebration of these holy mysteries, ever abide and live within us; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
the feast day of St. John the Apostle then is also the name day for all those who go by the name of John