Page 19 - Living Light - A Message of Joy!

Monday December 18 - Life and light
In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines... and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:4-5
‘Hark the herald angels sing’ is one of my favourite carols. The second verse has the angelic choir singing, ‘Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace! Hail the Sun of Righteousness! Light and life to all he brings, risen with healing in his wings.’ Before creation all was dark, empty and dead, but then God spoke light into being.
Nothing can live without sunlight, apart from some weird-looking primitive organisms existing in dark ‘abyssal zones’ miles below the ocean surface. The sun warms the earth to a liveable temperature, giving energy for everything to grow and thrive. Darkness cannot extinguish even the feeblest candle flame. The Bible teaches us that light is also a spiritual reality. Just as life opposes death, light defeats darkness. On the cross Jesus Christ confronted all the darkness of hell, when he died to save us from the penalty of sin. At Easter, the gloom of the tomb where he lay was invaded by dazzling heavenly light as he rose from the dead. And Satan could do nothing about it! And as we trust in Christ we share in his wonderful resurrection!
Colossians 1:13 declares that God ‘has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves.’ As we approach Christmas let us sing and worship, with deep joy and gratitude to the Prince of Peace who came to save us.
Jesus, Light of the world, who overcame the darkness of evil, please shine in our hearts today! Amen.
Tuesday December 19 - John the forerunner
There was a man sent from God whose name was John... as a witness concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. John 1:6-7
Jesus said, “...there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptist... he is the Elijah who was to come” (Matthew 11:11 & 14). He didn’t mean this literally; John described himself as “...the voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord’” (John 1:23).
As an unborn child, John was the first person to recognise the Messiah, even as he silently grew in Mary’s womb. In Luke 1:15-17 an angel told John’s father Zechariah, “... he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah... to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” People flocked to be baptised as they confessed their sins, and many remained to be his disciples. But with wonderful humility, just before Jesus came to be baptised, John declared: “He is the one who comes after me, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie” (John 1:27). Later he confessed: “He must become greater; I must become less” (John 3:30). And that is what happened. Shortly afterwards he was thrown into prison by King Herod and later beheaded. What rewards and honour await him in heaven! And what a great example of loyalty and faithfulness John the Baptist can be to us.
Lord Jesus, please help me to be a true and courageous witness, humbly inspiring people to trust in you. Amen.
PRAYER FOR TODAY
PRAYER FOR TODAY
17