At our last PCC (Parochial Church Council) meeting, we decided on our Lord’s statement about Himself in John 8:12 as the Church mission statement.

In my translation, RSV John 8: 12 ‘Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” Our Lord was speaking to a crowd that didn’t believe in Him, His mission or divinity. We are also called this advent and Christmas season and always to speak to people about our Lord Jesus Christ. We are called to make Him known in His world to those who believe, and those who do not believe. The challenge for us this Christmas season is to see how many people we talk to, or mention the name of Jesus to, praying that the Lord will give them a heart to know Him Jeremiah 24:7.

Our mission statement reveals a very important truth, that our Lord is the only light of the world, which makes all other lights either false or irrelevant. This is a truth that we as a Church have either forgotten or refuse to acknowledge. If we are not convinced of this basic truth, how can we speak the Lord’s name with confidence, how can we make Him known to the world?

The Queen’s speech at the opening of eight General Synod of the Church reminded us that “The Christian church can speak uniquely to that need, for at the heart of our faith stands the conviction that all people, irrespective of race, background or circumstances, can find lasting significance and purpose in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.” This Christmas season let us help people find their purpose in life, which can only be met by Christ the Saviour of the world.

We all have a choice in life either to walk in the light or walk in darkness. We cannot walk in darkness and profess to be in Christ we delude ourselves. Let us look at ourselves this advent season; how we talk and walk the faith; how we relate to others around us; do our actions glorify God or show us up; Does our behaviour bring people to Christ or drive them away?; Do we volunteer to work in vineyard (house) of the Lord?; Is our faith neither warm nor cold?; let us repent of all that keep us away from God. 1 John 1: 5-10

Let us remind ourselves and the world that our Lord came to give light to those who sit in darkness Luke 1:79. Advent is the time to move from darkness into our Lords glorious light 1 Peter 2:9, let us remember our inheritance in Christ and how precious we are to him.

As a Church we exist to remind and proclaim to people all over the world that our Lord Jesus Christ is the light of the world, not to believe and live in Him is to be in darkness. Let us celebrate this Christmas loudly, proudly; with faith and conviction in the Saviour whom we worship. I commend Fr Peter's (Fr. Superior Writes) article to you Christmas is Christ Mass the celebration of the birth of the saviour of the world. Let us celebrate the day salvation entered the world, let us celebrate Jesus. I wish you all a merry Christmas and a blessed New Year. Remember John 8:12.

In Dominie


Canon Ade.

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