Tuesday 31 December 2024

Today is Tuesday the 31st of December in the season of Christmas.

The Brilliance sings, ‘May You Find A Light’. As you listen, notice how Christ has arrived as a light in different ways for you… perhaps recently, or over the years.

Lost and weary traveler
Searching for the way to go
Stranger, heavy-hearted
Longing for someone you know
May you find a light
May you find a light
May you find a light to guide you home
There are weary travellers
Searching everywhere you go
Strangers, who are searching
Longing deeply to be known
May you find a light
May you find a light
May you find a light to guide you home
A light shown down on us
A star above shines bright
A light shines bright
A light shines bright




Today’s reading is from the Gospel of John.

John 1:1-18

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.

He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.

And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth. (John testified to him and cried out, ‘This was he of whom I said, “He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me.” ’) From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father’s heart, who has made him known.

On this last day of the year the Church offers an image of light coming into a dark place. Think of a time when that has actually happened in your own experience. What was it like?

Now think of yourself telling someone else about that experience of light breaking into the shadows – “testifying to the light”, as John puts it. Notice what you feel about that.

Only at the end of this passage is it made clear that Jesus is the light that John speaks about. What does that add to the prayer you have done so far?

As the passage is read again, pay attention to the various reactions that people have to the light that comes into the world.

Speak, finally, to God – to the Father, or to Jesus – about your own hopes for light in your life as the New Year approaches.

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.