This week was the Winter Solstice, the shortest day and longest night of the year in the Southern Hemisphere, when the sun set at 4:54pm in Sydney. Australians mark the occasion by plunging into freezing water, taking advantage of star gazing or just snuggling up at home and sleeping more. Sometimes we can endure seasons in life that might feel like a winter solstice, the long dark night of the soul, where light and warmth is scarce and fleeting. During times like this as we cling onto the hope we have in our Heavenly Father, we can take comfort in His promises in Scripture, where we see the heart and character of our Good God who spoke light into creation by the power of His word.

For those who trust in God "weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning" (Ps 30:6b), and we know that '..his.. mercies/compassions are new every morning; great is your faithfulness (Lam 3:23). Our God is a God of miracles and mercies so even in the darkest night or most difficult season, we can turn to Jesus Christ, the Light of the World and let his light shine in our hearts. The apostle Paul put it this way - "For God, who said 'Let light shine out of darkness' made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God's glory displayed in the face of Christ" (2 Cor 4:6).

I pray that just as the days are now growing longer, and the nights getting shorter, as you follow Jesus the Light of the World, you experience more and more the "light of the knowledge of God's glory, displayed in the face of Christ" in your life and heart.

Roxane Lawler | Associate Pastor