Daily Reading: 25 December

(from www.christianaid.org.uk)

Light that overcomes

Something to read

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.

- John 1:1-5.

Something to think about

I imagine that very few of us will be planning to switch on the news today. On this happy day of celebration, most of us prioritise spending time with loved ones, enjoying special food and drink, and sharing in worship together, so we don’t want to be reminded about negative events if we can avoid them.

If any kind of tragedy does strike at Christmas, it is felt all the more keenly because of the unwelcome sense of pain and darkness invading a precious season of light and hope. But the good news of this glorious day is that darkness will never overcome the light that Jesus shines into the world.

This is the wonderful hope that enables Christian Aid staff, partners and supporters together to look injustice and poverty square in the face, day in, day out. We celebrate today, knowing that Jesus didn’t come just for this bright moment, but to shine light into the darkness until the darkness is gone forever.

Happy Christmas!

Something to do

When all the festivities have quietened down tonight, take a moment alone to shine a light in darkness: light a candle or a lamp in an otherwise dark room.

Something to pray

Thank you, God, for the gift of Jesus, whose light can never be overcome. Amen.

Today’s contributor is Rev Claire Jones