‘The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them has the light shined.’   (Isaiah 9:2)

It seems there is light at the end of the tunnel at last, with the arrival of a COVID-19 vaccine (or many vaccines, take your pick).  It’s a tribute to human ingenuity in science, technology, logistics and finance, and we have reason to be very thankful.

And light at the end of the tunnel is so welcome!  Not many people have enjoyed this last year.  Although I’ve suffered no personal or material loss, I have to say I’ve found it unremittingly bleak and negative, like living through a dystopian science fiction film.  I can’t find any consolation of the ‘it’s lovely to hear the birds sing’ kind.  I just see untold harms, many of which are not even apparent yet.

But perhaps we have shared a glimpse, for a rare moment in our lives, of a something experienced vividly by many people throughout history, and many people living in the world today.  Now we know a little more of what it means to dwell in the land of the shadow of death.

As the church year moves from Advent into Christmas, we live out the symbolism of moving from darkness to light.  Advent is a time for longing and waiting and hoping.  It’s as we sit in the darkness with our feelings of anxiety, powerlessness, anger and grief that we invest our hopes in the arrival of Jesus in the stable in Bethlehem.   And with his birth, we look beyond the end of the tunnel, with much broader horizons.  Christmas gives us hope not just of relief from the miseries of 2020, but for an end to all sorrow, all suffering, all fear, even an end to death itself, through the coming of the one who is the light of the whole world.

‘Fear not, for I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord.’  (Luke 2: 10-11)

Paul Tennyson

A prayer as the pandemic continues

Heavenly Father,

At this sad and worrying time there are so many unanswerable questions that so easily could shake our faith, yet all around us there is evidence that you are indeed still with us.

We give you thanks and praise for those who reflect your love by selflessly giving so much.  We particularly remember the NHS worker and others who give medical care, the virologists and scientists who have worked tirelessly to develop the vaccines, politicians and leaders who have so many difficult decisions to make, supermarket workers and delivery drivers who sustain our food supplies, refuse collectors and others who look after the environment, school teachers, volunteer shoppers, and those who keep in contact with those who are shielding.

We also pray for those who are suffering from the pandemic, that they may know your healing power.

When we feel alone and isolated, reassure us with a sense of your presence.

When we are afraid for ourselves and our loved ones, give us your strength and courage to face the future.

 ‘You are the God we adore,           
  Our faithful unchangeable friend.                         
  We’ll praise you for all that is gone,                      
  And trust you for all that’s to come.’

Amen

Peter Bones