This Sunday is the 1st of December, we’ll be lighting our first Advent candle in church.
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth but it was empty and dark. Then God said, ‘Let there be light!’ and that changed everything. Within days the earth was filled with life, colour and beauty.
Light is a blessing, it helps us see things. Car headlights and street lights help us find our way home. The lights inside bring comfort, dispel fear and help us do what needs done.
The Apostle John echoes the first verses of Genesis as he begins his Gospel,
‘In the beginning was the Word’ (God the Son) through Whom ‘all things were made. In Him was life and that life was the light of men.' So Jesus is the infinite co-creator of the universe, the source of light and life. At Christmas we celebrate with gratitude that this ‘Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us’.
The wonder of God’s glory is not just the epic splendour of divine, heavenly majesty John glimpses in Revelation, it’s the humility, grace and love that brought God the Son to a manger in Bethlehem. It’s light shining in the darkness so that we can be part of a new creation.
Here is hope. The world around us and sometimes within us can be dark indeed, selfish, abusive, cruel, frightening. But we’re not alone. The Lord has lived here with us, shared our highs and lows and suffered the worst when He suffered the cross on our behalf. Because He did, those who trust in Him can know the light of forgiveness, new birth from the Spirit and the promise of better things ahead.
Sadly not everyone wants to change so light is not always welcomed. As Jesus told Nicodemus, ‘Men love darkness rather than light because their deeds are evil.’ Be aware, if we choose the dark, it will in time consume us.
But in John 8 Jesus rescues a woman from a self righteous mob who want to stone her. He also rescues her from an immoral lifestyle with a string of abusive relationships. He doesn’t condemn her but sets her free to live a better way. In the verses that follow He declares,
‘I am the Light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.’
Let’s say yes to that! This Christmas let’s submit to follow Jesus. Let’s walk in His light.
And to Him be the honour and the glory!
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth but it was empty and dark. Then God said, ‘Let there be light!’ and that changed everything. Within days the earth was filled with life, colour and beauty.
Light is a blessing, it helps us see things. Car headlights and street lights help us find our way home. The lights inside bring comfort, dispel fear and help us do what needs done.
The Apostle John echoes the first verses of Genesis as he begins his Gospel,
‘In the beginning was the Word’ (God the Son) through Whom ‘all things were made. In Him was life and that life was the light of men.' So Jesus is the infinite co-creator of the universe, the source of light and life. At Christmas we celebrate with gratitude that this ‘Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us’.
The wonder of God’s glory is not just the epic splendour of divine, heavenly majesty John glimpses in Revelation, it’s the humility, grace and love that brought God the Son to a manger in Bethlehem. It’s light shining in the darkness so that we can be part of a new creation.
Here is hope. The world around us and sometimes within us can be dark indeed, selfish, abusive, cruel, frightening. But we’re not alone. The Lord has lived here with us, shared our highs and lows and suffered the worst when He suffered the cross on our behalf. Because He did, those who trust in Him can know the light of forgiveness, new birth from the Spirit and the promise of better things ahead.
Sadly not everyone wants to change so light is not always welcomed. As Jesus told Nicodemus, ‘Men love darkness rather than light because their deeds are evil.’ Be aware, if we choose the dark, it will in time consume us.
But in John 8 Jesus rescues a woman from a self righteous mob who want to stone her. He also rescues her from an immoral lifestyle with a string of abusive relationships. He doesn’t condemn her but sets her free to live a better way. In the verses that follow He declares,
‘I am the Light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.’
Let’s say yes to that! This Christmas let’s submit to follow Jesus. Let’s walk in His light.
And to Him be the honour and the glory!
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