21*

Saturday 21 December

Children of Light

By Andrea Harrison

Ephesians 5:6-14

Last July, ( how long ago that seems), John and I took our eight year grandson camping in Norfolk. We were delighted that he made friends on the camp site and was happy to run around the large field and wooded area  with lots of other children. However, as the evenings darkened, I ( note I , not we!) became anxious that I couldn’t see him. Lots of children had head torches but in the darkness  all we could see was a plethora of white dots. Happily, the head torch, that  his uncle and aunt had purchased for his holiday, had a multi coloured function and so it was a reassured nanny who could spot a little red light in the woods.This light calmed my fear of what might lurk in the darkness, what might hurt him.

Repeatedly we read of light in Scripture: in this Ephesians reading we are called to be Children of Light and live as such. Children: those who are disruptive, playful, curious, loving, a promise of the future. We are little lights, ultimately showing others , the one true Light of the World, God.

And so here we are in mid December once again remembering the coming of that Light that shines in the darkness. I like the lantern light of Wendy Cope’s poem:

At the winter solstice,
Midnight of the year,
A lantern in a stable
Shows us He is here.

Shining through the ages,
Lighting up the place
Where we see the baby,
His little hands, his face.

A lantern in a stable
Centuries ago
Conquers time and darkness
With its gentle glow,

Calls us with the shepherds
And the eastern kings,
Offers us the Christ child
And the love He brings.

In the golden lamplight,
See him there asleep.
Ours if we will have Him.
Ours to love and keep.

Lantern Light from Anecdotal Evidence by Wendy Cope.

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Ephesians 5:6-14

Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be associated with them. For once you were darkness, but now in the Lord you are light.

Live as children of light— for the fruit of the light is found in all that is good and right and true. Try to find out what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what such people do secretly; but everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for everything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says,
‘Sleeper, awake!  Rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.’