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hope revolution Christmas Special - PArt 3 'Change my community'
At Christmas we celebrate that Jesus came to be the 'Light of the World' but what does that mean to my life and how can I take hope to my community?
Jesus said “I am the light of the world”
Read: John 8:1-12
Reflect: We're very much in the thick of Advent Season now, where we're gearing up to celebrate the coming of Jesus as a baby whilst also, as Christians, preparing for his second coming at the end of time. This wonderful Advent Prayer, by renowned theologian Henri Nouwen, is a wonderful place to begin reflecting upon Jesus, Hope and Community. Let's begin:
Advent Prayer - By Henri Nouwen
Lord Jesus,
Master of both the light and the darkness, send your Holy Spirit upon our preparations for Christmas.
• We who have so much to do seek quiet spaces to hear your voice each day.
• We who are anxious over many things look forward to your coming among us.
• We who are blessed in so many ways long for the complete joy of your kingdom.
• We whose hearts are heavy seek the joy of your presence.
• We are your people, walking in darkness, yet seeking the light.
To you we say, "Come Lord Jesus!"
Amen.
Affected by the Light
Have you ever been blinded by a light shining in the darkness?
• Maybe you’ve been out camping or driving or posing for a photo when...WHAM!
• If you close your eyes, the light is still there, sparkling in the darkness.
• Bright light shows things up and leaves a lasting impression.
In the John 8 passage we've just looked at, Jesus defused an angry mob who were about to kill a woman, by saying to them:
"If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." [v7]. One by one they left until it was just Jesus and the woman. "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?" He asked. "No one, sir," she responded. "Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin."
We have a God-given conscience that can be triggered by his Spirit, as happened in the story about the angry crowd. They thought that they were doing the right thing by bringing justice to this woman, but Jesus challenged them to actually examine their own lives. Jesus brings about change in peoples' life, if they allow him – the crowd and the woman left that day very different people.
So what can we learn from John 8: 1-12?
• Jesus sets us an example of how to live.
• We should examine our own life and allow Jesus to shine his light into it to show up the dark bits.
• Only then, when we admit dark bits are actually there, can we work with God to do something
about them.
Affecting your community?
• What is currently going on in your life?
• Are you willing for Jesus to shine a light into all aspects of how you live your life?
• What do you need to stop doing in order to start living the way Jesus wants?
• Do you even know what living Jesus' way even looks like?
Follow the Light - Following Jesus' example
Over the next few pages, we'll be exploring how following Jesus' example of interacting with people and society can really help us shine as a light in the darkness and bring change, lasting change, to our communities...
...Christmas Ideas In Your Community
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