Well we're into November now, the nights are drawing in and it's cold all of a sudden. For many of us, this season can leave us feeling down.
It's no wonder then that it's a season of remembrance. All Souls, All Saints. We remember former days, better days, days of sunlight, warmth and laughter.
But we also remember darker days. Remembrance Sunday reminds us of the sacrifices made by those who died so that we could have a better life.
The past is not always a better place. Just like the present, it too is filled with all the flaws and follies of human nature.
In November then, as the nights draw in, we remember all the good and the bad.
The Christian story speaks into this mixed past - bringing connection, healing and forgiveness.
But it doesn't just speak into our past. It connects that past with our present and our future too.
In John chapter 8, Jesus tells us that he is the light of the world. The darkness of the past, the darkness of the present, and the darkness of what is to come are all met with the light of Christ, shining into the world.
So the darkness of our nights right now are not all there is for us to look forward to. Just as the days will grow longer again with the coming of spring, so the Christian can really believe that the best is yet to come. When we see the darkness closing in around us, we can hold on to a hope that better and brighter days are around the corner. And we can know that because Jesus tells us so, and because he died and rose again to make it so.
Do we really believe that? It can be hard when all we see is the dark and the cold.
But we also remember darker days. Remembrance Sunday reminds us of the sacrifices made by those who died so that we could have a better life.
The past is not always a better place. Just like the present, it too is filled with all the flaws and follies of human nature.
In November then, as the nights draw in, we remember all the good and the bad.
The Christian story speaks into this mixed past - bringing connection, healing and forgiveness.
But it doesn't just speak into our past. It connects that past with our present and our future too.
In John chapter 8, Jesus tells us that he is the light of the world. The darkness of the past, the darkness of the present, and the darkness of what is to come are all met with the light of Christ, shining into the world.
So the darkness of our nights right now are not all there is for us to look forward to. Just as the days will grow longer again with the coming of spring, so the Christian can really believe that the best is yet to come. When we see the darkness closing in around us, we can hold on to a hope that better and brighter days are around the corner. And we can know that because Jesus tells us so, and because he died and rose again to make it so.
Do we really believe that? It can be hard when all we see is the dark and the cold.
But as Psalm 30 tells us,
"Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning"
Rev Jack Marsh
Find out more about St James Gatley at www.stjamesgatley.org
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