Thoughts for the Day

In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

After twenty four days of preparation we come to Christmas morning filled with hope. Ours is a dark world, and we remember that Jesus was also born into a dark world. But our hope is that whatever else is out in the dark, there also is Christ, and the darkness can never quench the light. That tiny baby, Jesus - our Lord and Saviour - came into a turbulent world so that we should never be wholly overwhelmed by the darkness. We read in John's Gospel that 'The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.' (John 1.5).

Most of us don't like walking in dark lonely places, and we may have used 'night lights' as children. Perhaps we lay in bed imagining the world outside was peopled with monsters. Certainly our fears and worries seem more terrible at night, and the future can seem very dark. We don't know what is out there six months or six years hence. So too, like now, the world can seem dark with times of war, sickness, injustice and poverty.

But Jesus was to declare ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.’ (John 8.12).

This Christmas Day we should remember that if we keep our eyes on the light which is Jesus Christ, we shall never be forsaken. There is no place where Christ is not, it is only for us to seek Him out, and when we have sought Him, no place, no situation, nothing, is ever so dark again. So we too can sing "Joy to the world!"

Lord Jesus,
You came as the Christ,
that is, the Messiah,
to save the world
from sin and ignorance.
You brought the light of God
to all people.
So today, may we turn to You,
the 'Light of the world',
with renewed hope
for a future filled
with Your light.
Amen.