When Jesus came,
he promised light to those who are in darkness. Of course, he meant spiritual
light to those who were in the darkness of sin, but who could now come into the
light of relationship with his father through the forgiveness he was able to
offer by his death on the cross. But he also came to the poor and needy, and in
this world, some of the poorest have no physical light.
Our service
today was led by Karen Johnson, who highlighted a project by the Christian
relief agency Tear Fund to bring light to poor communities. As an example, she
told us of a community in DRC Congo where a solar panel, feeding batteries was
able to provide a light for reading and security. It also provided light for a
small nursing station which the project had built. The combination of the light
and the clinic meant that a 19 year old was able to avoid a three-hour journey
to the nearest other maternity. The
service was held in a church without lights (on a very grey day) to emphasise
the importance of light. And a cross covered in baking foil was surrounded with
lit T-lights, making it shine in the darkness.
We were all
encouraged to think of something that would help make a difference for our
world.
