Invitation and Preparation
O God, make speed to save us
O Lord, make haste to help us
(Silence)
Let us pray:
Blessed are you, sovereign Lord, just and true: to you be praise and glory for ever. Your prophet John the Baptist was witness to the truth as a burning and shining light. May we your servants rejoice in his light, and so be led to witness to him who is the Lord of our coming kingdom, Jesus our Savior and King of the ages. Amen.
Listen and Receive
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.
John 1:6-8
May the Word of God rest gently on our hearts, that when our hearts break the Word of God may flow in.
(Silence)
Reflect and Respond
John is sent on a divine mission. He comes to bear witness to the Light that is coming to the world in Jesus, the Light of Truth and Life, the Light which shines brightly even in the darkest of dark. This is the Light which overcomes and defeats darkness. John also knows that he is not the Light and in himself can not provide this light.
This same Light still shines. It is by this Light that we see that we are indeed children of Light. This Light brings hope and grace into even our darkest troubles. Even twenty centuries later with all of our knowledge and technology, we are not the Light and we remain dependent on Christ for this Light.
I wonder, in what ways are you encountering the true Light?
Blessed and Sent
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen.
In this season of light, may your light so shine before others that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.