As I write this, a new year is mere hours from being born. 2009 will move into history as 2010 arrives. As this changing of the calendar is celebrated globally, I find myself reflecting on our invitation as people of faith to experience something more significant than a new year. In Christ, we find a God who joyfully calls out, "Happy new life!" My hope and prayer for all of us as we cross this annual threshold is that we might experience the newness of life that is ours in Christ.
This Sunday, as we gather in worship, we will reflect on a central aspect of the good news we've been given, that in Christ, we have a promise of life and light that can never, ever be extinguished. We will hear the opening words of John's gospel and invite God to impress those words more deeply into our hearts and minds: "1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was with God in the beginning. 3Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4In him was life, and that life was the light of all. 5The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not overcome it."
As you prepare for worship, I would encourage you to re-read these verses several times. You might even try memorizing them! They form a wonderful summary of the gospel of Christ. You might also think of some specific ways that you have experienced the truth of verses 4 and 5. How have you experienced the light of Christ in your life? Can you think of times when you were in the midst of darkness but discovered the light of Christ was still there? What hope do these words give you as you move into the future?
Please remember that we will have one service this Sunday at 10 am. I look forward to seeing you then.
--Bryan
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