New Audacious Beginnings - Forces of Light & Darkness

Scripture: Jeremiah 31:7-14 or Sirach 24:1-12  • Psalm 147:12-20 or Wisdom of Solomon 10:15-21  • Ephesians 1:3-14  • John 1:(1-9), 10-18

 

This second Sunday of Christmas, before the Epiphany, it is appropriate, as we begin a new year, to talk about new beginnings. And John, in his gospel, does just that. He tells us about a new Genesis in which the "Word" was in the beginning, was with God, and was God. In his first chapter, he also tells us that the "Word" became flesh and dwelt among us, and in him was life, and that life is the light of mankind.

 

After a year of increased violence, and a world where many have lost their homes and seek refuge - and life itself, it seems that the forces of darkness are overwhelming. They are certainly present.

 

And yet, John, and we, have a message to tell and live, that the forces of light will overcome the darkness. What is that message? How can we do that? See The Rev. David Lose's "On New Beginnings and Audacious Promises" and The Rev. Dr. Janet Hunt's take on the the new Star Wars movie, "The Force Awakens: The Light Shines in the Darkness."