Today is December 29

May the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way.

Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.”

Today’s reading is from the book of John, chapter 1.


“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.


The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. Think of a light that cannot be overcome, a light that cannot go out. You might think of an intense light. Maybe a spotlight shining up into the night. Or a powerful laser that has an intense beam. Or even stronger, the light of the sun. But the light of Christ starts as a different kind of light. It’s more like one of those trick birthday candles that gets blown out but then a few moments later relights on its own. Think for a moment about how the light you see in Christ is more like a candle that is fragile light, but one not easily extinguished.

Isaiah puts it this way, A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. This sounds like the life of Christ in the world doesn’t it? In his death he was bruised but not broken. His light was smoldering but not snuffed out. How is that true of the light of Christ in you? Where do you see faith smoldering in your life? Where is there a small sign of smoke, even if no flame?

As we close our time of prayer, ask God to breathe on that wick. Ask him to blow on those embers. Ask that the flame might burst forth again into the night of the world around you.

Behold… what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!

To the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever! The LORD will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. Amen.

Music: "Eternal Light" - Heaven & Earth (YouTube)