Friday 29 December 2023

Today is Friday the 29th of December, in the season of Christmas.


One Hope Project sings, ‘O Little Town of Bethlehem’:
Yet in thy dark streets shineth
the everlasting light;
the hopes and fears of all the years
are met in thee tonight.
Are you able to get a sense of that ‘everlasting light’ as you enter into prayer today?

O little town of Bethlehem,
how still we see thee lie!
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
the silent stars go by.
Yet in thy dark streets shineth
the everlasting light;
the hopes and fears of all the years
are met in thee tonight.
For Christ is born of Mary;
and, gathered all above,
while mortals sleep, the angels keep
their watch of wond'ring love.
O morning stars, together
proclaim the holy birth,
and praises sing to God the King,
and peace to men on earth.
How silently, how silently,
the wondrous gift is giv'n!
So God imparts to human hearts
the blessings of His heav'n.
No ear may hear His coming,
but in this world of sin,
where meek souls will receive Him still,
the dear Christ enters in.
O holy Child of Bethlehem,
descend to us, we pray;
cast out our sin and enter in;
be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas angels,
the great glad tidings tell;
O come to us, abide with us,
our Lord Emmanuel!




Today’s reading is from the First Letter of John.

1 John 2:3-11

Now by this we may be sure that we know him, if we obey his commandments. Whoever says, ‘I have come to know him’, but does not obey his commandments, is a liar, and in such a person the truth does not exist; but whoever obeys his word, truly in this person the love of God has reached perfection. By this we may be sure that we are in him: whoever says, ‘I abide in him’, ought to walk just as he walked.

Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old commandment that you have had from the beginning; the old commandment is the word that you have heard. Yet I am writing you a new commandment that is true in him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining. Whoever says, ‘I am in the light’, while hating a brother or sister, is still in the darkness. Whoever loves a brother or sister lives in the light, and in such a person there is no cause for stumbling. But whoever hates another believer is in the darkness, walks in the darkness, and does not know the way to go, because the darkness has brought on blindness.

As the year draws to an end, John invites us to reflect on darkness and light. The ‘new commandment’ Jesus gives us is to love one another. Darkness lies in our refusal to be reconciled to others. Where do your thoughts take you as you hear this reading?

We’re invited to examine the gap that may exist between our claims of Christian belonging and our behaviour to others. It’s easy to judge and condemn – far harder to maintain good will towards those we find difficult. Are there any people or situations that come to mind as you reflect on this?

As we listen to the reading once more, see what words stay with you, offering light or revealing darkness. What graces do you find yourself wanting to ask of God right now?

We’re told that ‘the true light is already shining’. As you stay with this reading, allow God’s light to help you speak to God from your heart, expressing your thoughts and feelings, and asking for whatever you need at this time.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.