Come into the light ….
The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world : John 1:9
Over the last few weeks the roads around where we live have been decorated with little red barriers around the street lights as teams of engineers undertake a programme to replace the existing concrete posts with slim green metal ones. At a time when many areas of the country are actually trying to reduce their numbers of street lights it appears to be slightly against the trend, but no doubt it will be established that the new lights will be more cost effective than the old (?). Whatever your opinion on the street lights these next few weeks are a time when light features at the heart of our Christmas celebrations. There are the lighting displays in the Town Centre, in many shops, garden centres, and, as many people put up their Christmas trees out will come the lights for another year to provide a colourful and bright display.
As we set up to sing Carols in the Garden in the New Street Garden later this month, one of the first tasks is to connect up the power supply so that we can provide lighting for those joining with us. Candle light will be a feature of our Carol Service on Sunday 22nd December and candles are pictured on the leaflets which we will be posting through the doors around the neighbourhood in the coming days. There is something else on that leaflet, it is the heading;
‘JESUS LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS’
As we put up our Christmas lights, however pretty and pleasing they are on the eye, there will soon come a time when they have to go back in the box and be stored away in a cupboard until next year. It’s like that for those who don’t yet know Jesus, they try all sorts of things to bring about their ‘enlightenment’ to try to understand how best to live their lives – but the truth is that all such knowledge is darkness when compared to ‘the true light that gives light to every man’ (John 1:9). It was only when Jesus came into the world that the light shines in the darkness yet sadly as we read on it says in John 1:5 but the darkness has not understood it.
As we spend our time celebrating the birth of our Saviour this year and spend time with friends and family and others we meet, we have an opportunity to bring out that light and shine it into their darkness.
Perhaps before we do that we must first ensure that we ourselves are walking in that light and living lives that honour and glorify our ‘Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isa 9:6)
I do pray that we will all find blessing in a time of celebration, and a time of rest and relaxation in the loving arms of the true light of the world this Christmas.
Stuart
December 2013
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