The wonder, joy, and spiritual fulfillment of Christmastide is now upon us. We can sing along with the Psalmist a “new song unto the Lord”. Rejoice and be glad! We are, none-the-less, confronted in today’s reading with St. John's juxtaposition of pure joy and fulfillment that the birth of Christ gives us with the lurking, beckoning of evil in our turbulent world. Evil embodied in those who reject, fight against, and destroy Christ’s church and His people. There will not be one “antichrist” but many. These may include: false prophets, blasphemers, corrupt leaders, those that love power and greed more than God. The list, unfortunately, may be endless.  It has even been used by Christians to defame and vilify other Christians.  Love one another. Jesus did make that clear. 

St. Ignatius, in the spiritual exercises, asks us to choose a standard or side. Do you choose evil or good? Like St. John, St. Ignatius believed in the power that evil can have over us. We too need to be vigilant in this regard. If we cling to the standard of Christ, goodness and holiness will follow.  We will be spiritually stronger than any evil entity or idea. St. John also reminds us, in the Gospel today, that “The Word of God became flesh and dwelt among us.” We know the way to spiritual security and joy. We have been given the law through Moses, and grace and truth through Jesus Christ. “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Let the eternal and true light of the world shine upon us. Live our lives in this new year by more closely following Jesus’ example; be joyful and love one another.