SAT-7 UK Advent Prayer Day 25

DECEMBER 25

GOD SPEAKS THROUGH JESUS

REFLECTION

Read / Listen to John 1:1-5, 14

The carol “Silent Night” wonderfully captures the

quiet simplicity of Jesus’ nativity, and it calms and

comforts millions of people who sing and hear it

every year. But of course the events of that night

recounted in Luke’s Gospel are far from silent. An

angel announces the birth of a saviour and king; a

multitude of the heavenly host gives glory to God;

shepherds rush to see the baby, telling the good

news and praising God, while those who hear

their story are amazed. For Luke it is a night not of

silence, but of excited and dramatic words.

And in that night a more profound word could

also be heard: the definitive Word of God spoken

to the world. In John’s Gospel we read of one

called “the Word”, who existed in the beginning,

who was with God and Himself God. Through

Him God spoke creation into being; through Him

God brought life and light to the world. This Word

is God’s supreme self-expression, in whom God

makes Himself known to all people.

The Christmas message is that the Word has now

become embodied in a human being and has

lived in our midst. In this person, both human and

divine, God has supremely and finally disclosed

Himself to the world. The glory of God – His

divine being in its splendour and majesty – is

revealed in the words and works of Jesus Christ,

as the nature of a father is exhibited in his only

son. And the Word is full of the divine grace and

truth that sets us free and brings us life.

In this Advent Season, we have read about the

many ways in which the words of Christians in the

MENA are silenced by those who do not want to

hear the message they proclaim. We have also

seen how SAT-7 is giving them words again, both

by providing them with a platform to express

themselves, and by speaking up publicly on their

behalf.

The Word of God cannot be chained, whatever

penalties His people may receive for speaking for

Him. He cannot be thwarted but will accomplish

the purpose for which He was sent, despite the

sufferings of those who confess His name. He

cannot be silenced, however hard persecutors try

to shout down the churches’ witness to Him. And

even when the words of the MENA’s Christians

are stifled or suppressed for a while, He still

speaks, in their patient endurance and unshakable

faithfulness, and to sustain them in their trials.

May the Word that was spoken on that “silent

night” in Bethlehem long ago sound in your hearts

too this Christmas time.

PRAY

Word of God, as we celebrate your coming into

the world, graciously speak to us and your people

in the MENA, and speak through us to share your

light and life with the world you came to save.

Amen.