The Light that Will Not be Overcome.

“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 vs 1 – 5.

As Christians meet around the world on this Christmas Day, for many these verses will be a statement of faith – that the darkness of their circumstances will not overcome the everlasting light that shines from the Son within them.

For many, celebrations will be muted, as they grieve for the loss of family and friends in the latest atrocities committed against them.

For some, there is a glimmer of hope as they emerge from years of civil war to the hope of a new beginning,

For some, it will be a quiet, lonely celebration, as it is too dangerous to even think about meeting with other believers.

For some, it will be a day like all too many days this year, of just trying to find enough food and water for their families to survive.

For most of us in the developed world – we have the blessing of peace, security and often far too much food at this time of year! We are bombarded by the message of consumerism that has long overtaken the real message of Christmas, and it can be all too easy to forget what we are celebrating.

So, as we join together with millions of faithful believers around the word, let us join our hearts in unison with theirs, lift our voices in praise for the greatest gift ever given – Jesus, Son of God – and pray that this Christmas, in some small way, the life, light and hope that is found in the Gospel of Jesus Christ will bring a beacon of light to the dark places of this world – a light that will never be overcome.

Isaiah 9 vs 2: “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness – on them light has shined.“