Life, light and hope

Photo by Daniel Schludi on Unsplash

On Tuesday this week the COVID-19 vaccination programme got underway. On a damp and dull December morning at the end of a dark and often miserable year hope was born. Leading the way were two elderly patients in the Midlands. The first, Maggie Keenan, described the vaccination as an early birthday present. This special gift will eventually allow Maggie to spend time with her family again. Both she and Bill Shakespeare, the second recipient, expressed their gratitude to the NHS staff who were treating them on this historic day.

Across the world this Christmas the availability of  COVID-19 vaccine brings hope. Lives will be changed thanks to the skill of scientists and medical practitioners. There is light at the end of this dark and difficult year. 

At Christmas we celebrate God's greatest gift to the world. The birth of Jesus is a sign of hope for all time. A week after Jesus was born Mary and Joseph took him to the Temple to give thanks to God. While there they met Simeon and Anna who recognised the tiny child as the fulfilment of God's promises to Israel. These two devout elderly people could see God was at work in their own time. Like Maggie and Bill, they felt privileged to have been present at what was a significant moment in their nation's history. Both gave thanks to God for the hope born in their hearts that day. 

Centuries later Christians continue to rejoice in the coming of Jesus, Light of the World. This year as we celebrate the gift of new life seen in a tiny child we may also be grateful for the gift of a vaccine. With Simeon and Anna, we turn our eyes to the God who is at work in often unexpected ways and give thanks for the gift of life, light and hope in our own time.