Keep Thinking
Dear Friends,
The magic of the Christmas lights is with us once again.
In every town and city a multitude of twinkling stars adorn
the trees and the crowded pavements are transformed by the warmth and comfort generated by their glow.
Even the anxious faces of the bustling shoppers relax a little in the atmosphere of good will reflected from above.
We are all familiar with the advent candles, which light the way for the coming of the Christ child.
In Norway, I am told, families light a candle every evening from Christmas Eve to New Year. And in Ireland lighted candles were once put in the windows to guide lonely travellers in the dark.
To light a candle is one of life’s delights.
From early days when we light candles on a birthday cake and watch the glow on happy faces surrounding it,
to the lighting of a candle in memory of a dear one,
that simple act encapsulates the emotions,
which we sometimes find hard to express.
Everywhere candles remind us that when Jesus came
He brought the light of God’s love and truth into our dark world.
In a little church in Italy these words are written,
'One candle can be used to light another without diminishing its own flame.’
Candlelight, like love, can be given to many and still burn brightly at its source.
In such a way we can set one another’s hearts aglow without any loss to ourselves.
The more love we give, the more we have to give.
There is so much darkness in our world, the darkness of ignorance, poverty and despair.
Let us pray that as we celebrate Christmas this year we may pass on a little of that warmth and light which God has so richly given to us.
Candlepower is a measure of the intensity of light emitted,
but the power of love is measureless.
God Bless us all
Rev Sue O’Hare (Minister)
Philip Begley: philip@caerphillymethodistchurch.org
Samuel Anstee: samuel@caerphillymethodistchurch.org
