Shine the Light of Kindness

“I have come into the world as light, so that everyone who believes in me should not remain in the darkness” John 12:46

What do these words of Jesus mean? Why is He so often described as the Light of the World?
The image of a candle lighting up the darkness is familiar to us as a symbol of hope. Everyone needs some form of hope in their lives to see them through times of fear, pain, poverty, grief, or despair. Knowing that Christ was born to be our Saviour is the powerful Light at the centre of Christian faith.
Throughout the Bible there are analogies of blinding light used to denote the presence of the Holy Spirit, moments of import (such as the guiding star over Bethlehem), and divine revelation.
The Birth of Christ symbolizes all these meanings, and more – by coming into the world in vulnerable human form, God manifest as flesh, to be the Light of Hope for us all.
The Light of Christ continuing to shine in our lives today speaks of the testimony and courage of those who have come before us to keep the Good News alive. We have a duty, as Christians, to shine this same light for others around us, and for those yet to come.
It only takes a moment to give the gift of love to others, to pass on the Light, to offer kindness. By taking time to listen. By showing compassion. By reaching out a hand of friendship. By greeting a stranger with a smile. If only one person that you reach through kindness asks about Jesus, and why you follow His lead, then that is one person more who receives the gift of redemption, through your actions.

By making the example of Christ flesh to others, through our actions, we reflect the glory of the Son made flesh at Christmas, for all our sakes.
It is too easy to become dispirited by all the bad news that we hear in the media today. But there is plenty of good news to celebrate – if you make the effort to seek it out. And the best news of all is the Good News that Jesus brings us. Through his birth, life, death and resurrection we are all offered freedom from sin, hope for eternal life, and a path to peace, through our acts of kindness and loving service.
If you make one resolution this year, make it to seek new ways each day for the Holy Spirit to act through you with kindness and compassion – then truly there will be an everlasting Holy Light shining in the World.