“The Word Became Flesh!”

“The Word Became Flesh!”(Jn.1:1-4).
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men.”
Keywords in this pericope: Word, life and light.
This New Testament story of creation is a reminder of the creation story of Genesis. “The earth was “formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light. God saw that the light was good…”
When creation was completed, “God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, in our likeness…’…”(Gen.1:1-4&26ff).
The creation story in John’s gospel merely explains the creation story of Genesis. The Word(Christ) was with God. When God spoke the Word light emanated. When he breathed into the dust of the earth, the breathe emanated life.
Hence the Word, life and light represents the One and only through whom all things were made.
As an African two verses of the creation story of John explains some contradictions of the continent. “The light shines in darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.” And, “He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him…”(Jn.1:5&11). The other day a colleague told me they are soon embarking on painting the Last Supper drawing as a background of the sanctuary of their Church house. I replied, “And I know you will paint a white Jesus and white apostles.” He asked me if those people were not white?
If it was only about pigmentation, it would be excusable. But it goes beyond colour since angels are all white, but Satan and his agents are black. And even though Jesus came as light, Africa remains a dark continent by the estimation of others.
There is nothing wrong to wonder what colour God is! God is colourless, just as he is genderless. And until we know him as such, he will remain the light that shines in our darkness and we have not overcome it.
Today the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon (PCC) celebrates 66 years of indigeniety.
Indigeniety considers the three-self strategy of self-governance, self-support and self-propagation. These we have achieved or are on course. But as far as inculturation is concerned we are still scratching on the surface!
Translating the Bible into our various mother-tongues and encouraging its use in the congregations should feature on the progress chart. More than that, the contextualization of the Gospel should be consistent and not haphazard.
Rebirth or renewal or rejuvenation should be an intentional move towards africanization of Christianity within the continent even as we seek to christianize the continent.
Africa has always been a safe haven that helped to shape the salvation story, beginning from Abraham, Jacob and his children, and most of all, baby Jesus and his parents. They all found asylum in Africa, thus making come true the salvation story we have today.
Dear friend, we are few weeks into the season of Advent, preparing us for Christmas. The Lordship of Christ is being reintroduced so that as we prepare to receive him, we should renew our comatose spirits and become new creations indeed!
Are you in or out?
Sunday prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, the Word that is with God, renew us and fulfil in us the purpose of your coming. Amen!
Happy Presbyterian Church Day celebration!
Have a blessed day! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.