A Handful of Light

This Advent and Christmas I have been reading "A Handful of Light" by Michael Mitton.  It is a book of daily Bible readings which includes both the Bible passage and a prayer as well as some thoughts and reflections on the Bible readings.

Michael Mitton is one of my favourite Christian authors.  I first came across him a number of years ago when a friend recommended that I read "A Heart to Listen" which is a brilliant book all about listening to God, people and places beyond just what you see and hear.  My favourite book by Michael is "Wild Beasts and Angels" which is all about Christian Healing ministry within the context of the wilderness experiences of life.

Anyway, back to "A Handful of Light", the theme of the book is hope within the context of themes of light and darkness as found in the Bible.  During the last week I have appreciated how Michael has dealt with the more sinister issues which surround the arrival of the Magi and in particular the slaughter of the innocents.  The news of so many murders since Christmas day has been disturbing and it is good to be reminded that "we live in a world where dark things happen too often to too many people.... Go back to the words of that man by the river all those years ago.  He spoke about a light that enlightens everyone, even the one who is experiencing the deepest darkness.  Go back and listen to that message again.  Listen to it again and again, day after day.  There is enough for every darkess that afflicts this world.  Let this light sink into you and learn how to drink regularly from that light, which will be living water for you.  Then, when darkness engulfs you, you'll be prepared.  You'll have a reserve of the light of Christ who has come into your world, and no darkness will overcome that." 

Michael also talks about the Magi bringing with them a thesaurus, gifts which are full of meaning. Gold for kingship, frankincense for priesthood and myrrh for death. Their gifts brought meaning to Mary and Joseph and Michael suggests that we reflect on the "gifts" which people bring to us which bring meaning and understanding to the complexities of our lives.