Sunday 4 January •Second Sunday of Christmas
Presence
“You show me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; in your right hand are pleasures for evermore.” (Psalm 16). Lord, help me to live in Your presence today.
Freedom
Your death on the Cross has set me free.
I can live joyously and freely,
without fear of death.
Your mercy knows no bounds.
Consciousness
As I spend this time with You, Lord,
I am aware of how blessed I truly am.
I think of the love and graces in my life,
and I feel grateful.
The Word of God
John 1:1-18 NRSVue1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was in the beginning with God. 3All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being 4in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. 5The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overtake it.
6There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. 8He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. 9The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.,
10He was in the world, and the world came into being through him, yet the world did not know him. 11He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. 12But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, 13who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.
14And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth. 15(John testified to him and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me.’ ”) 16From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace., 17The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18No one has ever seen God. It is the only Son, himself God, who is close to the Father’s heart, who has made him known.
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Inspiration
Every year has moments of light and shade, so this is an opportunity to recall the good times and good things that came our way during the past year with gratitude and thanks, whilst not forgetting the moments that were much more challenging. We try to remember that wherever our lives take us – even in the less desirable situations we may face – God walks with us on our journey.
Conversation
I sit quietly with my God who knows my every thought, every need and every desire, and I allow Him to minister to me in this moment. I receive whatever nourishment I need for the journey.
Conclusion
I thank God for these few moments we have spent alone together and for any insights I may have been given concerning the text.
Amen
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