Prayer: In the Begining O LORD, was the Word. The Word was with You, O LORD. And the Word was You O Lord. Allelujah.
Read John 1……
Bringing the light into the world. As Christians, we use this image of bringing the light of Christ into the world. The image of light is part of the Old and New Testament scriptures. But light will only be bright and shine when it is brought into the darkness. In John’s gospel today, we read this exact image….. Jesus is the light that is brought into a dark world. A world full of hurt, and pain, and saddness, and chaos….. darkness.
So how do we bring the light of Christ into our world? How can we take this image of bringing light and lighting up a world of darkness? My cousin, Rev Steve Wilson (United Church), preached a sermon this Christmas Eve in the Dauphin Correctional Centre that asked about Christmas presents. Often after Christmas we get asked “So what did you get for Christmas?” This year, says Rev Steve, ask instead “What gift did you give this year?” What gift did you give this year so that the light of Christ will be brought and shine in the darkness.
Prayer: Great God, may You enlighten our hearts so that we can be a beacon of Your love and light in this world. During this Christmas Season as we await the return of Christ, enliven our hearts to hear Your voice. Through our prayers and scritpure readings, we know that Christ has come, Christ is coming, Christ will come again. Almighty God, may we share this wisdom with our neighbours and our friends. Divine Healer, move through every part of our body and our mind dissolving all feelings, thoughts, and patterns of frustration and irritation and aggravation. Divine Healer, sweep away all impatience, struggle, and suffering that resides in our consciousness. Allow us to turn our frustrations into inspiration and enthusiastic action. As Your will may be done, bring us Your light, Your strength, Your wisdom, Your healing, and Your love. Help us O LORD, and guide our footstesp into Your Light and Glory and love so that we can experience satisfaction in all our accomplishments You give us each day. We give You thanks and praise that Your Son came as an infant in the stillness and darkness of might. We give You thanks and praise that the shepherds knelt down and worshipped Your Son and then told others of this great birth. (Sit in silence for a few minutes and reflect on this past week…. how have you brought the light of the Infant Christ into your community…. what gift did you give this Christmas…..) We thank You Emmanual, that You have come, You are coming, and You will come again. Lighten our path so that we can receive You and bring Your light into the darkness and forever keep darkness away. This we ask in the name of the Messiah. Amen.
