One of the names given to Jesus, proclaimed by the angels, is ‘Immanuel’ (or ‘Emmanuel’), meaning, ‘God with us.’ It’s one of the most amazing truths of Christmas that God Almighty, in the form of Jesus Christ, came to dwell with us. I love this song also because it points to the reason that Jesus came: ‘here born to bleed.’

‘What hope we hold this starlit night
A King is born in Bethlehem
Our journey long, we seek the light
That leads to the hallowed manger ground

The son of God, here born to bleed
A crown of thorns would pierce His brow
And we beheld this offering
Exalted now the King of kings
Praise God for the hallowed manger ground.’ (‘Emmanuel, Hallowed Manger Ground,’ Chris Tomlin)

Candles are often associated with Advent, as we contemplate the fact that the light has come into the world and the darkness has not overcome it. (John 1:5) Today’s song reflects this theme:

‘Like a candle flame
Flickering small in our darkness
Uncreated light
Shines through infant eyes

God is with us, alleluia (Men)
God is with us, alleluia (Women)
Come to save us, alleluia (Men)
Come to save us (Women)
Alleluia! (All)

Yet his light shall shine
From our lives, Spirit blazing
As we touch the flame
Of his holy fire.’ (‘The Candle Song’, Graham Kendrick)

Details have just come through of the child we are sponsoring through the Christian charity Compassion. Her name is Bedline Bazile and she was born on 19th March 2010 (a very good day indeed…!) She lives under the care of her mother in Haiti, in the mountainous community of Sarrazins, home to approximately 10,000 residents. Typical houses there are constructed of dirt, cement or wood floors, wood or brick walls and tin roofs. Most adults in the area are unemployed, but some work on plantations or as market traders; these earn the equivalent of £20 per month.

Bedline attends the Sarrazins Child Development Centre which provides Bible teaching, health screening, physical education, etiquette training, social events, academic reinforcement, health education, books and uniforms. The centre staff also provide health education, literacy classes and meetings for the parents of all the children who attend.

Haiti is situated in the Caribbean:

It occupies the western, smaller portion of the island of Hispaniola which it shares with the Dominican Republic. It is the most mountainous nation in the Caribbean and its highest point is Pic La Selle, at 2,680 m (8,793 ft0). It’s known in French (one of the official languages of the island) as ‘la perle des Antilles’ (‘the pearl of the Caribbean’) because of its natural beauty, but it is extremely poor and politically unstable.

Let’s pray for Bedline and her family. The prayer points listed on the ‘welcome pack’ are for her family and friends, for her school work and for her relationship with Jesus. “For fun, she likes playing hide and seek, singing and listening to music.” As we start to correspond with her and become more aware of specific requests, let’s remember that our partnership with Compassion can make a real difference!

Neither the Advent period nor Christmas itself are renowned for their silence. Shops are heaving with customers; streets are packed with pedestrians; traffic jams abound. The stress levels of many people rise dramatically at this time of year.

But Advent means taking time out from the bustle and busyness to pause before God: “The season of Advent means there is something on the horizon the likes of which we have never seen before… .What is possible is to not see it, to miss it, to turn just as it brushes past you. And you begin to grasp what it was you missed, like Moses in the cleft of the rock, watching God’s back fade in the distance. So stay. Sit. Linger. Tarry. Ponder. Wait. Behold. Wonder. There will be time enough for running. For rushing. For worrying. For pushing. For now, stay. Wait. Something is on the horizon.” (Jan L. Richardson)

Today’s music reflects this stillness, since both are instrumentals. ‘Keep Silent’ is from Aaron Shust’s new Christmas album and this gentle piece captures the essence of peace. Phil Keaggy’s ‘Coventry Carol‘ is an instrumental version of this famous carol, a lullaby to Jesus. Both are brief, so take five minutes out from today’s busy schedule to listen and to stay… sit…linger… tarry…ponder… wait…behold…wonder.

Like Job, there are times indeed when we should simply keep silent. (Job 40:4, see also Eccl 3:7)

Today’s song is from Michael Card and looks at the mystery of the incarnation:

‘When the Father longed to show
A love He wanted us to know
He sent His only Son and so
Became a holy embryo

Because the fall did devastate,
Creator must now recreate
So to take our sin
Was made like us so we could be like Him.’ (‘To The Mystery’, Michael Card)

Isaiah 9:2 says ‘The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.’ John connects this with the arrival of Jesus, saying The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.’ (John 1:5) In his first letter, John goes on to tell us ‘God is light; in him there is no darkness at all’ (1 John 1:5) and God’s word is often described as a light to guide us. (Ps 119:105) That’s why one of the key Advent symbols is the candle.

The image of light is therefore inextricably linked with God. Today’s song is not, strictly speaking, an Advent song at all, but it does take this theme of light (starting with words from Ps 27:1) and reminds us that God will always grant us ‘enough light for the next step; enough light for the way ahead.’ Quite often, we feel like Isaiah said, as though we are walking in darkness, as though life has more mystery than clarity about it. God’s grace is sufficient for us at all times, providing enough light for us to follow His right paths.

‘You’re my light and my salvation
Through it all I won’t be shaken
Lead me on, O fire, in the night.
In the shadows, in the mystery
I’m not afraid, for You are with me, Lord.
I know that You will give

Enough light for the next step
Enough light
Enough light for the way ahead
Enough light

Ev’ry day that is to follow
I will trust You with tomorrow
In this life my hope is found in You
I set my sights on the horizon
Moving on towards Your promises
I know that You will give

You are shining brighter than the sun
You’re the light who was and is to come
Jesus, You are faithful, lead me on.’ (‘Enough Light’, Ben Cantelon & Nick Herbert)