St. John stands as a prominent figure and an authoritative voice bridging the apostolic and post-apostolic eras. In his writings, especially the letters frequently read during Christmastide and Easter, he presents what legal minds might call primary evidence. He speaks consistently of what “they,” referring to the earliest followers of Jesus Christ, saw, heard, and touched, meaning what they directly experienced. Such testimony carries a unique weight, for it is difficult to persuade someone otherwise after they have personally seen, felt, or experienced something firsthand. These were the lived encounters of the first disciples. In this spirit, on this Sixth Day of Christmas, St. John (1 John 2:12-17) addresses children, young people, men, and women alike, drawing every generation into that same shared witness.
As we draw the year to a close, St. John offers a central and enduring message: do not love the world or the things of the world more than the things of God, for attachment to the world introduces distractions that can draw our hearts away from the love of the Father. This counsel lies at the heart of today’s reflection. The Church invites us today to engage the world without letting it define us; to use what the world offers to build treasures in heaven. Hence, beloved brethren, do not allow the world to set your standards; instead, remain the salt that gives flavor and the light that dispels darkness. This message is what Christmas meant to those who encountered Jesus firsthand, and it is what leads to peace on earth and, ultimately, joy in heaven.
