I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.
(John 12:46 NIV)
This past Sunday when we were receiving requests for Christmas carols, I was very surprised to find that a wonderful carol with verses written by Charles Wesley was not in our United Methodist Hymnal. If you were not present, the carol of which I am speaking is Jesus, The Light of The World.
You may recognize some of the lyrics in the verses from another familiar Christmas carol, Hark The Herald Angels Sing. As we journey through the Christmas season into the New Year and towards Epiphany on January 6. 2022, which is traditionally the end of the Christmas season let us rejoice in the light Jesus brings to our world.
Let us celebrate the wondrous love of a God who would choose to take on the form of humanity with all its darkness, suffering and pain and in doing so shines light into that darkness.
How can we not rejoice and make a joyful noise to the Lord when we think of all he has done, is doing and will do for us!
So as the words of the carol go, let us “walk in the light, beautiful light,” allowing the light of the Lord to “shine all around us by day and by night. Jesus, the light of the world.”
May we be blessed to reflect the light of Jesus for all our days, such that we may change people’s lives through Christ!
It is my prayer in this new year that it will be filled with blessings for each of us and that we will have the wisdom not to overlook our blessings!
Blessings,
Pastor Peggy