5th. January. 2022. Daily Devotion.
16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. 19 This is the verdict: light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. 21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God. John 3:16-21
12th Day of Christmas
This is the last day of the traditional celebration of Christmas; tomorrow, the epiphany is celebrated, and our season ends. Let us remember the purpose of Christmas by reading one of the most beloved and meaningful passages from the Bible, John’s summation of Christ’s mission.
We so often let these words slip into the back of our mind: “God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order to save it.” It is a constant temptation to condemn. And Christians, being only human, can be as bad as anyone on this account. Really, we can be even worse than atheists, since when we condemn, we act as though we have God’s authority.
But if condemnation is not God’s purpose in sending Christ to us, why should it be ours? Are we better than Christ? Do we know more?
Christ will indeed come again to judge the world, but we must always remember, it is He that is commissioned to judge us, not we who are commissioned to judge others. Our job is to follow Christ. We are followers. Many people want to be leaders, but Christian leadership is a service and a burden, not an act of self-glorification. We should never forget that our only true goal, whether we are ministers or elders or bishops or the unnoticed person sitting in the back corner of the balcony, is to follow Christ.
Eternal Light, shine in our hearts. Eternal Goodness, deliver us from evil. Eternal Power, be our support. Eternal Wisdom, scatter the darkness of our ignorance. Eternal Pity, have mercy on us, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Alcuin (c.735-804)
Prayer for the Morning
I bless you for the day you have made, Mighty Lord God, and pray that I may spend this day rejoicing in your creation. I pray for your Holy Spirit to fill me with the joy of my salvation, so that your light may shine through me into the world, that your honour and glory may be known to all people.
Remind me of your blessings, I pray, with every tribulation I may face, so that I may act with energy, forgiveness and love, ever mindful of the grace You have shown to me. Through Christ I pray, Amen.
Lord of all, breathe through us your all-enfolding acceptance and grace that, being transformed by your holy purpose for us, we may accept with humility, respect with sincerity and love with tenacity all those with whom we are called into your fellowship. In the name of Christ, who forgives, heals and unites us. Amen.
