Light of the world                         22 December 2006

 

 

 

“There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognise him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God – children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. The word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:6-14

Christmas Day is now very close. Whilst we all enjoy the presents and the decorations and the carols and the turkey and the……whatever it is for you – let’s make sure that we put Jesus at the centre of our celebrations this year; it is his day after all. This is what we are celebrating; the word made flesh, the light of God coming into the world.

The true light that gives light to every man (and woman) has come into the world. As followers of Jesus we have been taken into his family; we are his sons and daughters, his children. Live as children of the light, living as Jesus would want. As brothers and sisters let’s show the love of Christ to one another and to all those that we meet at this frantic time of year, whatever the situation; proving that we are indeed part of God’s family.

We not only can celebrate the birth of Jesus but also rejoice in the work that he went on to accomplish; “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

As children of God we are not only part of Jesus family but have a part of his glorious inheritance; eternal life. What a hope we have.

Take time this Christmas to thank Jesus, for everything!