One of my favourite places to walk near St Albans is along Rose Lane which heads north out of Wheathampstead. However dark or grey the afternoon – there always seems to be light and even sunshine up there. When I’m looking for some brightness that is where I like to go. At this time of year, as the days remain short and we continue our journey through advent, darkness and light are important themes.
At the morning service Richard spoke to us about John and what Jesus said about him at the end of his life. If we go back to the beginning, in the gospel of John the first time we hear about John the Baptist it is all about light: "There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.
The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world."
Jesus is the light of the world and we await his coming. But what if we don’t feel ready for that light? Perhaps we feel that we or the world are in such deep darkness that we cannot imagine light overcoming darkness. As I heard someone say on the radio yesterday when talking about her grief following the death of her son - look for the pinpricks of light. Even in the darkness what pinpricks of light can you see which remind you that Jesus is with us and his light will overcome the darkness?
Emmanuel,
Our world waits in darkness longing for Your light.
In the midst of darkness, enkindle our hope.
Fulfil the deepest longings of your people and
Dispel the darkness in our hearts and in our world.
Amen
תגובות