Scripture: Psalm 147:12-20 (First Nations Version) O Village of Peace (Jerusalem), give Grandfather the honor he deserves! O Strong Mountain (Zion), praise him!
For he has strengthened those who guard the entrance to your village and blessed your sons and daughters who live there.
He brings peace and well-being to all who live within your borders and fills your bellies with the best of the corn, beans, and squash.
He sends his voice to bless the land, and his words arrive with great speed.
Creator covers the land with a blanket of snow and scatters the frost like ashes.
He rains down hail like pebbles of stone. Who can endure his freezing cold?
He sends his words and melts the ice. He blows his breath, and the frozen waters flow.
He makes his words known to the descendants of Heel Grabber (Jacob) and his teachings and traditions to the tribes of Wrestles with Creator (Israel). He has not done this for any other nation. They do not know the teachings and instructions he gave to us. Dance for joy before Grandfather!
Scripture: John 1:1-18 (FNV) Long ago, in the time before all days, before the creation of all things, the one who is known as the Word was there face to face with the Great Spirit. This Word fully represents Creator and shows us who he is and what he is like. He has always been there from the beginning, for the Word and Creator are one and the same. Through the Word all things came into being, and not one thing exists that he did not create.
Creator's life shined out from the Word, giving light to all human beings. This is the true Light that comes to all the peoples of the world and shines on everyone. The Light shines into the darkness, and the darkness cannot overcome it or put it out. Into the wilderness of the Land of Promise (Judea) came a man named Gift of Goodwill (John). He was sent by the Great Spirit to tell what he knew about the Light so everyone could believe. He was not the Light but came to speak the truth about the Light. The true Light that shines on all people was coming into the darkness of this world.
He came down into this world, and even though he made all things, the world did not recognize him. Even his own tribe did not welcome or honor him. But all who welcome and trust him receive their birthright as children of the Great Spirit. They are born in a new way, not from a human father's plans or desires, but born from above -- by the Great Spirit. Creator's Word become a flesh-and-blood human being and pitched his sacred tent among us, living as one of us. We looked upon his great beauty and saw how honorable he was, the kind of honor held only by this one Son who fully represents his Father -- full of his great kindness and truth.
Gift of Goodwill (John) told what he knew about him and cried out with a loud voice, "The one I have told you about is here! He comes after me, but is much greater -- my elder! He has more honor, for even though he is thought to be younger, he existed before I was born."
From the fullness of his being we have all had many gifts of kindness poured out on us. Drawn from the Water (Moses) gave us our tribal laws, but the gift of great kindness and truth came from Creator Sets Free (Jesus), the Chosen One.
No one has ever seen the Great Spirit, but the one Son, who is himself the Great Spirit and closest to the Father's heart, has shown us what he is like.
