Opinion column

The Light shines in the darkness

As we approach the shortest day of the year, regular contributor Philip Young reminds us that our celebration of the birth of Jesus at this time of year is also a celebration of the conquest of light over darkness.

I love this time of year when the contrast between light and darkness is at its greatest. In the church calendar the season of Advent is one of expectation and hope. We wait for the birth of Jesus and the coming of the light into the world.
 
I invite you to pray for the coming of light into our dark world by using the following recommended acclamation from Common Worship, Times and Seasons, Archbishop’s Council 2006: 

With love and compassion, Come, Lord Jesus.
With judgement and mercy, Come, Lord Jesus.
In power and glory, Come, Lord Jesus.
In wisdom and truth, Come, Lord Jesus. 

In the northern hemisphere, just before Christmas, we have the winter solstice when the day is shortest and the night longest. On Christmas Day and on January 6, Epiphany, we can celebrate the return of more light and the lengthening of days.
 
‘The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.’ (John’s Gospel 1:5)
 
In these dark times of our collective history with war, famine and poverty bringing great suffering to many human beings, let us remember that the light is present to banish the darkness.
 
Let us remember that the love and compassion shown to us in the coming of Jesus can banish all the darkness and bring us hope for the future.
 
With love and compassion, Come, Lord Jesus.

The advent candles image is courtesy of pixabay.com.
 

Philip is an Anglican, Quaker, and a member of the Third Order of Franciscans, and lives in Felixstowe. Until July 2014 he was the Diocesan Environmental Officer for the Norwich Diocese, and he stood as an independent candidate in the June 2017 General Election.  He is now Associate Priest at St. John and St. Edmund in Felixstowe and a freelance writer on spiritual and political matters. He is available to run Quiet Days, give talks, presentations or to preach, and would welcome invitations from radio, television, or any other interested group. In particular, he is willing to speak up against the present war being waged by Russia.
Visit  revolutionoflovenow.com.