Light of Life Christmas Eve Read: John 8:12-16 “Jesus said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’” John 8:12 (NIV)

What an amazing promise by Jesus. Today is Christmas Eve and I am sure there is much preparation going on in your home. Some may be finishing work for a week or two to have time off over Christmas/New Year. Children would have finished school earlier, and I am sure that there is much excitement and anticipation for the Christmas dinner, the gifts, the family time. What a joy Christmas is to families whether Christian or not. However, the biggest difference is in knowing Jesus, His love, the hope of a future and the promises that come at the birth of Jesus. Christmas takes on a greater meaning and importance knowing Jesus. Isaiah foretold the coming Christ-child who would be born 700 years later, but described Him as “…Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Through different writers in the Bible, Jesus was also called: Immanuel, Messiah, Saviour, Good Shepherd, Bread of Life and in the passage above Jesus describes Himself as, “…the Light of the World.” To unpack each of these descriptions would make this devotion pages longer, but what we do need to know is that this little baby sent by God planned this from the beginning of time for the world’s salvation.

Jesus is God’s Son who was sent into the world to bring light to people’s lives in giving them the promise of an eternal future. Tonight, as you celebrate with family, make sharing with them the promised Saviour of the world a part of your celebrations. If you cannot go to celebrate with the local congregation, have your own little service by reading the story of the birth of Jesus from a Bible, maybe a child’s Bible.

Set up a nativity display and have the children make the scene as it is being read. Play a few Christmas carols and sing them as a family (perhaps some can play them on instruments). Light candles and share how God’s light has come into the world through Jesus. With Jesus there is no darkness! Prayer: My Saviour Jesus, the Light of the World, enter my heart this night and help me to share with family and friends the promise given with the birth of Jesus. You are my light and my life. Amen.

Living in the Light 4th Tuesday in Advent Read: John 3:16-21 “Whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.” John 3:21 (NIV-UK)

On a cold day, a hot cup of Milo warms the body and in summer on a hot day, a cold glass of milk and Milo goes down well. How many of you have eaten Milo by just taking spoonfuls out of the tin? I developed quite a taste for the dry Milo when I was a child. So, I used to sneak into the kitchen and fill a glass with the dry Milo and then go and hide under my sister’s couch in her room.

Looking back now, I am sure my mother knew that someone was eating the Milo, but she never commented. But one day I confessed to my mum what I had been doing. She didn’t growl or scold but gave me a hug and said if I wanted some don’t go and hide, just eat it at the table. I never did take any more! Even as a small child I knew I was doing wrong and went and hid. There were other people in the Bible who also went and hid when they did wrong: Adam & Eve, Jonah and Elijah. Adam and Eve hid in the garden, Jonah got on a ship to sail away from God, and Elijah went and hid in a cave.

Do we really think that our hiding is getting away from God? I know that God saw me hiding under the couch, but He convicted me to bring my wrong into the light and I was forgiven. God doesn’t want us to hide from Him, but to do everything in the light. Things that we do that are right and good in God’s eyes brings glory to God. Do your work colleagues, neighbours, friends, know that you are a Christian and like to go to church? Tomorrow is Christmas Eve, be open, share the Good News of the coming Saviour of the world and invite others to join you in worship.

You may be surprised at the reactions and maybe someone will want to join you. Be open, be bold, live in God’s Light! Prayer: Thank you, Lord Jesus, for coming to me this Christmas and helping me be a light to those around me. Let my Christian light shine out brightly that others may be attracted to it. Amen.

God’s Chemical Reaction 4th Monday in Advent Read: John 1:1-9 “The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.” John 1:9 (NIV-UK)

A chemistry professor at a major university tells the story of a young girl who wished to make some potassium hydroxide solution. She decided to throw a large lump of potassium into a bucket of water. The professor, glancing in her direction, saw what she was about to do and hurried towards her. “What are you doing?” he asked. She explained, and then he told her to stir the water in the bucket for five minutes before adding the potassium. “Professor,” she asked with a questioning tone, “why stir the water and why must I do it for five minutes?” The professor replied, “It will give me time to get out of the building.” Some people can anticipate an event without knowing what will happen, others with knowledge can know what is coming and react accordingly.

The same is true with the coming of Jesus at Christmas. It had been foretold throughout the Old Testament that God would be sending a Saviour, a Messiah to bring peace and love to the world. Still when Jesus did come, many did not believe. Jesus had come at Christmas to be the Light of the World. On that night in Bethlehem, God sent His light into the world to shine into the hearts of all people.

We learn from the Bible reading that Jesus was the true light. If you put the word ‘Jesus’ wherever ‘Word’ is written in verses 1-5 of John 1… we read that Jesus had been since the very beginning with God. God had planned that Jesus come as a human to bring light and forgiveness to the lives of the human beings God had created. God knew from the beginning the ‘chemical reaction’ that would occur within the Jewish society of the time. He knew that Jesus would rock the world and cause disruption to people’s lives. Does Jesus cause disruption or peace to your life?

May the Christ-child bring you peace and love this Christmas. Allow Jesus to disrupt your life with His presence and light! Prayer: Dear Jesus, your light comes into my life at Christmas to show me the need for a Saviour. Shine your light into all the dark places in my life and show me how I can serve you. Amen