By Revd Alan Bradley, Superintendent, Alderley Edge and Knutsford Circuit and Mission Area Lead for Greater Manchester Plus
Reading: Isaiah 9 v. 2, 6 -7.
Notes:
Our eyes are very good at becoming accustomed to the dark. When helping with Cub Scouts we used to ban all torches from our night hikes; torches were a distraction, they prevented us from becoming accustomed to the dark, and more often than not the cubs would use them to blind each other! The easiest way was to ban the light. As we come today to our reading from Isaiah, originally written at a dark time in Israel’s history – a time of violence and exile, I wonder if we have become accustomed to the darkness of our world. I wonder if we have lost our expectation that God’s great light of love in Christ might shine bright in our world?
Christmas Eve, is the one day that the world goes to sleep in expectation. Children will eventually go to sleep tonight expectant for the magic of Christmas Day and the joy of unexpected gifts and presents appearing from their lists. As adults I wonder if we have become so accustomed to the darkness that we have lost that sense of expectation, have we lost the joy and peace that the story of Christmas promises.
Isaiah proclaims that the people walking in darkness have seen a great light, a light that overcomes the shadow of death, that brings joy, that is to be fulfilled through the birth of a child, a son. He will be named Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Wonder:
Today, amid all the busyness of preparation, make sometime to reflect on whether you have become accustomed to the darkness of this world. Ask Jesus to renew your longing for his light to shine bright in your life. Ask him to come again into the dark places of our world with the light of his love, peace and justice. How might you turn and welcome the light of God into your life?
May we not be content with the darkness, but may we more eagerly wait for the light of Christ to shine.
Prayer:
On this Christmas Eve, I turn from the darkness of this world to seek you, the Light of Love.
As Mary and Joseph prepare to welcome Jesus into the world, so I pray that I also may be ready to receive his gift of love afresh in my heart.
Come Lord Jesus, bring the peace and grace of heaven, the light of love to all. Amen.