“It’s easy to be demoralized about the state of the world,” writes Scott in the new Forward Today. “Maybe we can’t fix much at all. But we can change ourselves, and we can show forth Christ’s light in our lives.”
Dear friends in Christ,
Is your life radiant? I’ve been thinking about this question lately. On the First Sunday after Christmas Day, we pray this collect:
Almighty God, you have poured upon us the new light of your incarnate Word: Grant that this light, enkindled in our hearts, may shine forth in our lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Isn’t that a lovely prayer? It reminds us that God has poured life and light into the world in Jesus Christ. And if this light takes hold in our hearts, it will be visible in our lives. So I ask again, are you radiant with Christ’s light? I ask myself this question too.
It’s easy to be demoralized about the state of the world. There is plenty of work to do as we grow toward God’s peace, justice, mercy, and righteousness. We can’t fix everything now, and maybe we can’t fix much at all. But we can change ourselves, and we can show forth Christ’s light in our lives. This is not empty piety. Christian love is fierce. It speaks truth in the face of falsehood. It feeds the hungry. It loves the unlovable. It welcomes the stranger. It prays amid cacophony.
This is the time of New Year’s resolutions. Maybe you are going strong, or maybe you’ve failed. Maybe you never got around to making them. Or think of Lent. We’re coming up on a whole season focused on repentance. Now is the time. How can you be radiant? How can you shine forth with Christ’s love?
Yours faithfully,
Scott Gunn
Executive Director
Our featured sale product today is Dust Bunnies in the Basket, a humorous and useful Lent and Easter resource from Tim Schenck and Jay Sidebotham.
And I reminder that the For the Beauty of the Earth Wall Calendar is now just $5. It’s not too late to start enjoying this beautiful liturgical calendar—a companion to the daily devotional For the Beauty of the Earth, featuring the watercolors of Kathrin Burleson.
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