The link for this week's live-streamed service is here
This Monday, January 6, marks the end of the twelve days of Christmas. Time to take down the Christmas tree, extinguish the outdoor decorations and blow out the candles. Feels like a gloomy start to what is still a dark time of year!
Now that we are sated with turkey and plum pudding, we turn on the news again and see hunger in so many places.
We have sung carols about the Prince of Peace and now images of war intrude from our screens.
Disaster after disaster pushes the twinkling lights away from our conscience.
Maybe we should return to a time when Christians kept Christmas until Candlemass on Feb. 2.
If I've managed to make you feel depressed -- fear not! There is still Light in the world without our glittering trees and houses. If you don't believe me, listen to Rev. Irwin's sermon from Christmas Eve-- the link is here-- reminding us that we each have the Light of Christ within us. In twos and threes, or in a multitude, that light can brighten every dark corner.
Last week, former president of the United States, Jimmy Carter, died and the world mourned the loss of this "good" man. Even those who considered his term as president a failure, were moved by the man who taught Sunday School and swung a hammer building homes for the homeless.
Unlike a former US president, most of us are not newsworthy, but we still carry the Light of the World. If you want a New Year's resolution, you could do worse than "this little light of mine, I'm going to let it shine."
Happy New Year!
Christ is the World's True Light.
1 Christ is the world's true light,
ReplyDeleteits Captain of salvation,
the Daystar clear and bright
of every land and nation;
new life, new hope awakes,
for all who own his sway:
freedom her bondage breaks,
and night is turned to day.
2 In Christ all races meet,
their ancient feuds forgetting,
the whole round world complete,
from sunrise to its setting:
when Christ is throned as Lord,
all shall forsake their fear,
to plough-share beat the sword,
to pruning hook the spear.
3 One Lord, in one great name
unite us all who own thee;
cast out our pride and shame
that hinder to enthrone thee;
the world has waited long,
has travailed long in pain;
to heal its ancient wrong,
come, Prince of Peace, and reign.
Such appropriate words right now, and a great tune, thank you. Happy New Year!