The Light

"The people walking in darkness have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned." Isaiah 9: 2.

The darkness is scary, and disorientating, and uneasy, and unknown. There are shadows lurking, and seeing is harder. I don't like the dark. It makes things difficult.

Walking in the light means I can see my way. Danger is more easily avoided and things are clearer. I feel safer and more secure.

This passage, and verses 6 and 7 were the ones I read on Sunday night. I love the promises Isaiah made years and years before a young girl called Mary gave birth to a Saviour in a stable in Bethlehem. I am feeling very reflective this Christmas. James and I have bought Doug, his brother a Bible for Christmas (him reading this is about as likely as Pigs Flying). As I wrapped it I thought about how he might feel on Christmas Day when he opens it. Sitting with its heavy leather cover smooth in my hands and the fresh clean unread pages ready to reveal the most exciting story in history I thought about how it could be a book that sits on his shelf or a book that really changes his life. We prayed that he'll understand why we've given him this and in the dedication we have written these lines, adapted from Psalm 119: "May it be a lamp to your feet and a light to your path."

I am starting an Alpha Course in January, at church, and I've invited Doug along. He's said yes so please pray that he'll come good on this promise. I have never done Alpha before and I've decided that now is the right time. I have become a bit disillusioned with my home group. It is NOTHING to do with the people, and everything to do with me and the way I approach it. I have stopped engaging in it and have been going through the motions. Alpha is a way for me to reconnect, and because it takes place on the same day as home group I've had to choose! To look at the basics. To consider the lynch pins and foundations of my faith. To ask myself the questions like 'Why Jesus?' and get excited all over again. I hope that I'll meet Jesus again and we'll go for a drink. Like good friends who need to have a catch up. I hope that Doug will meet Jesus too, but that's for him and God to decide. All I can do is pray, and be open to God, and come out further into the light.

My wish would be that many more people would see a great light this Christmas, would ask Why Jesus?, Why Christmas? I wish that people would take steps towards the light, that through God's Grace would accept their free gift of eternal life and at the same time get the best Christmas Present ever.

Whatever you are doing may it be a Happy Christmas.

Hannah xx