Listen

A man named John was sent from God. He came as a witness to testify concerning the light, so that through him everyone would believe in the light. He himself wasn’t the light, but his mission was to testify concerning the light.

John 1:6-8

Think

The most important event in history happened not on a grand stage or before a large audience, but happened on a silent night in Bethlehem in the lowliest of places. God entered this world as a baby, the light of the world for all. Before the Christ child entered the world, John the Baptist came before to prepare the way, to set the stage for the light of the world, so that “everyone would believe in the light” once it finally arrived.

Not pomp and circumstance but instead a humble and lowly event brought the light that even darkness cannot extinguish into this world. This Advent season may we prepare the way in our hearts for Christ to come. This Christmas, may the stage be set in our own lives so that the light of the world may enter.

Ryan Wilson

Pray

God who came into this world humble and lowly, during this season of love, hope, peace, and joy, may you — the light of the world — shine brightly through me so that others would believe in the light. Amen.

Go

Christmas highlights the belief that God is in all of us. We can ignore that, or we can help God be found in all of us. God is active through each of us for each other.

from Sacred Space: The Prayer Book 2012, The Irish Jesuits