John 13:20 is a profound verse where Jesus speaks to his disciples, saying, “Very truly I tell you, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me.” This verse comes from a pivotal moment in the Last Supper, just after Jesus has washed his disciples' feet. It is part of the final teachings Jesus imparts before His crucifixion, speaking about His mission, the connection between the Father, the Son, and His disciples, and the responsibility of those who will be sent to carry out His message.
Christmas is the celebration of God coming to earth in the form of Jesus—Emmanuel, "God with us." It's the moment when the divine reaches down to humanity in a way that was previously unimaginable. As we reflect on John 13:20, the deeper truth is that the Christmas message isn’t just about the birth of a baby in a manger, but about the invitation to receive God's Son, who came to reveal the Father. The invitation of Christmas is to "accept" Jesus. This is the heart of the message, to welcome the Savior into our lives. Just as the disciples are told that accepting Jesus’ messengers is like accepting Jesus Himself, Christmas calls us to accept Jesus as our Savior, our Emmanuel. John 13:20 also speaks to the mission that continues through those whom Jesus sends. Christmas marks the beginning of a mission that goes far beyond the manger. Jesus came to send us, His followers, to continue His work in the world. The joy of Christmas is not only in receiving Christ but also in being part of His ongoing mission to bring light, hope, and salvation to the world.
As we celebrate Christmas, let this verse remind us of the profound mystery of God's presence among us. Jesus came to show us the Father, and in receiving Jesus, we receive not just a gift but the invitation to enter into the divine mission of love, grace, and redemption. Christmas is not only a time to reflect on God coming to us but also a time to reflect on how we are called to carry His message of love to others. This Christmas, let us accept Jesus fully, as the gift that connects us to the Father, and let us also commit to accepting and being sent by Him, to continue the work He began. The vision of Christmas is a vision of God's love coming to earth and calling us to share that love with the world.