“A light that shines in the Dark”
Beloved, welcome to
Christmas, a season of joy and peace. Christmas means the coming of God’s light into the darkness of our World.
And the promise of God regarding those who follow Him is that they will never walk in darkness but will always have the light of life.
I pray that Christ’s light will shine into the darkness of your life. No darkness will overcome you and your household, in the name of Jesus.
The Church sees the coming of Christ as fulfilling the beautiful prophecy of Isaiah Chapter 9 verse 2 – ‘The people that lived in darkness have seen a great light’. Jesus in John Chapter 8 verse 12, described his mission in similar terms when he said, ‘ I am the light of the world’
Beloved, that ray of light that emanated, that issues from Jesus, a ray that over 2000 years, have failed to dim. It is a ray through which the light of God shined into the world.
The truth of the matter is that Christ’s light was not lit once in Bethlehem and then extinguished. His light continues to shine in billions of people all over the world who believe in Him and follow Him. Unlike the sun, Christ’s light knows no setting. You see, the light of Christ is a persistent light and has the power to draw people to its shining. It shines in the midst of devastation, disaster and upheaval. It is a defiant light that no darkness can overpower.
My friends, as we bask during this Christmas in the light of Christ, I urge and challenge you not to be like the person who stands under a street lamp for a while, and then goes out into a dark world. Remember, that Christianity is not a sprint but a race that needs to be run diligently, obediently and faithfully. Therefore, the challenge to you is not to allow your lighted lantern to be extinguished.
You must live as children of the light. Allow the light of God to be seen in the way you live your life. The Bible says that, ‘ by their deeds we will know them. As St. Paul tells us in Ephesians Chapter 5 verse 9, let the effect of your light, Christ’s light, be seen in goodness, right living, and truth.
So, I appeal to you this Christmas and always to live in the light of Christ, so that you can also become a source of light to others,
May the radiance of God’s glory light up your life.
May the coming of Christ scatter the darkness of your life and our World and make it radiant with his light.
May you and your household taste the joy the shepherds experienced when the light of God’s glory shone round them on that first Christmas night.
May you follow Christ’s light faithfully on earth, and come to the light that shines for ever in heaven.
Merry, joyful and peaceful Christmas to you and all yours.
With blessings,
Venerable Prebendary Tunde Roberts