Advent #3 of 10:

In the beginning was the Word,

and the Word was with God,

and the Word was God.

(John 1:1)

The Word speaks before the beginning: “Let there be light.” And from that Word “light shines and darkness could not overtake it” (Jn 1:5)—from that Word, there’s light instead of darkness, there is something instead of nothing.

God speaks creation into being out of his absolute freedom—no need on his part. God is quite at peace within himself—Father, Son and Holy Spirit and the love and delight that flows within the infinitely spacious Godhead. Out of his eternal love and pleasure, God calls forth the heavens and the earth. The people of God can’t help but sing about it (Ps 33):

Praise the Lord with the lyre;

  make melody to him with the harp.

Sing to him a new song;

  …the earth is full of his love.

For by the Word of the Lord the heavens were made,

   and all their host by the breath of his mouth.

The whole of our triune God is in on it:  God the Father who creates all things; and, God the Son who redeems all things; and, God the Holy Spirit who hovers over all things (Gn 1:1-4). Advent reminds us that Christmas was always and eternally in the heart of God. It’s just the way God is.