Jack leaping up from the \u2018baptismal waters’ of the Derwent River; Bethany, Mitch, Anna, Stuart, Jo and many more Tasmanians who said \u2018Yes!’ to Jesus in 2011.<\/p>\n
This has brought me great joy.<\/p>\n
God has brought you out of darkness This affirmation from the baptism service assures us of the new state of the Christian: those who have turned to Jesus, trusted in him and have moved from darkness into Jesus’ light.<\/p>\n I recall the challenge of Dennis, my former tutor in economics, who led me to Jesus. We had been talking about John <\/em>1:9-12, verses close to the heart of the Advent season and Christmas,<\/p>\n (Jesus) The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. … He came to that which was his own, but his own did not accept him. Yet to all who received him … he gave power to become children of God.<\/em><\/p>\n Dennis placed his Bible on his knee and asked me, \u2018Have you received this Bible?’<\/p>\n I answered, \u2018No’.<\/p>\n \u2018What do you need to do to receive it?’<\/p>\n \u2018I need to reach out and take hold of it.’<\/p>\n \u2018What then to you need to do to receive Jesus?’<\/p>\n \u2018I need to reach out and take hold of him and receive him into my life.’<\/p>\n \u2018Will you do it?’<\/p>\n \u2018Yes, I will.’<\/p>\n How the angels rejoice with God’s people when we turn from darkness to light; to Jesus Christ, the Light of the world!<\/strong><\/p>\n … Christ is the genuine light. He is the light that brings real illumination to men\/people. There is nothing unreal or shadowy about the light which is Christ.<\/em> (Leon Morris)<\/p>\n Jesus Christ, the Light of the World, calls us to shine his light in the world.<\/p>\n How do we shine? What does it mean to shine?<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2018Shining’ has to do with faith, the act of receiving\/trusting in Jesus.<\/p>\n Shining has to do with the power of being a child of God, which means faith in action, love, mercy and justice.<\/p>\n I think of a woman waiting in the medical room and listening attentively to the pain of a young mother. This concern led to the young mother coming along to a playgroup, receiving acceptance and support, and sometime later participating in worshipping the Light of the World.<\/p>\n Shining as a light in the world, faith in action, is so often simply our \u2018being with, attending to’ our neighbour.<\/p>\n This Christmas, shine Jesus’ light into our community.<\/p>\n A prayer from our Anglican ‘A Prayer Book for Australia’, 1995, ,<\/p>\n Shalom, See otherarticles from the December edition of the Tasmanian Anglican, here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Also, 2010 – Walk\u00a0with the Light<\/a>\u00a0 and\u00a0 my Christmas Video<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Jack leaping up from the \u2018baptismal waters’ of the Derwent River; Bethany, Mitch, Anna, Stuart, Jo and many more Tasmanians who said \u2018Yes!’ to Jesus in 2011. This has brought me great joy. God has brought you out of darkness … Continue reading
\ninto his marvellous light.
\nShine as a light in the world to
\nthe glory of God the Father.<\/em><\/p>\nChristmas blessings, Tasmania!<\/h4>\n
\nnow in the time of this mortal life <\/em><\/address>\nin which your Son Jesus Christ came among us in great humility,<\/em>
\nthat on the last day,<\/em>
\nwhen he shall come again <\/em><\/address>\nin his glorious majesty to judge the living and the dead, <\/em><\/address>\nwe may rise to the life immortal:<\/em>
\nthrough him who lives and reigns with you<\/em>
\nand the Holy Spirit,<\/em>
\none God, now and forever. Amen.<\/em><\/address>\n
\n+ John
\nBishop of Tasmania<\/p>\n