‘The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world’ (John 1:9).
Lights on the Christmas tree, festooned over trees, across gardens, along the eaves and window frames of houses, candles on the Christmas table and more in churches: lights and Christmas just go together. How disappointed many people were this year to hear that popular light shows would be cancelled because of the pandemic.
Ages ago the prophet Isaiah spoke these words: ‘The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned’ (Isaiah 9:2). People longing for light, overshadowed by the threat of a powerful adversary and the collapse of their nation, must have heard those words with longing, hardly daring to hope or believe they could be meant for them.
Today, wonder of wonders, we are privileged to see that great light dawning and shining among us, that ‘true light that gives light to everyone … coming into the world’. As we contemplate and worship the Christmas child and see him as a newborn in a lowly stable, perhaps we may be asking, can it be that he is the light longed for down the ages? Can he be the ‘great light’ of whom Isaiah spoke? The gospel assures us, ‘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’ (John 1:4, 5).
As Christmas lights gleam from trees, windows, housetops, and churches, we are reminded that the Word who became flesh and made his dwelling with us, the one and only Son who came from the Father, is here. He triumphed over all the darkness of sin and death so that through him all should believe and receive the right to become children of God. Today we thank and praise God for Jesus our Saviour, Light of the World, full of grace and truth.
Light of the World, Lord Jesus, on this holy day, dispel the world’s darkness and fill our hearts with your true light that cannot be overcome. May we share that light with others again this Christmas as we welcome your coming to live among us. Amen.
Prayer Points
We pray that all our families have a very blessed Christmas and a safe and relaxing holiday period
We give thanks that God has blessed us and protected us this year
Micah Award
To David for showing compassion and kindness toward others.
The staff of SCS would like to extend our thanks to all of our parents and the wider school community who have helped the school navigate through another very challenging year. The staff and students appreciate the support shown to the school, not only through the remote learning period, but also during on site learning. Thank you for your understanding and compliance to the ever-changing rules we have faced this year. Your love and care has enriched the students’ learning and has enabled the teachers to do their best for the students. You have been a true blessing to our school and we look forward to your involvement again in 2022.
We say farewell to the following families and wish them God’s blessings as they embark on a new phase in their lives: Inme, Lai Sui, Li, Lyno, Ngamokopuna-Viran, Nguyen, Roberts, Tandon, Vi and Zathang.
Next year our school year commences with our Opening Worship at 9:00am on Monday 31 January 2022. Further information will be provided as to whether parents and friends will be able to join us in the hall to begin our school year in God’s name. 2022 Prep students will begin their school year on Monday 6 February.
The staff of Sunshine Christian School wish all of our families and friends a very blessed and safe Christmas season. We look forward to seeing you all in the New Year after a restful and relaxing holiday break.
Please take note of important dates, especially those relevant to the beginning of the 2021 school year. Students in Years 1 – 6 will begin on Monday 31 January, whilst the Prep students will begin on Monday 6 February.
