The true light that shines on everyone was coming into the world.
The Word was in the world, but no one knew him,
though God had made the world with his Word.
He came into his own world but his own nation did not welcome him.
Yet some people accepted him and put their faith in him.
So he gave them the right to be the children of God.
John 1: 9-12
Reflect on the word RECOLLECTION for a few moments.
Another Christmas is over and I am exhausted, Lord. There was so much food — and so much left over. Gifts — some still lie unopened. There was so much energy — now it feels so flat. And I am alone.
I am thankful for the memories that will last me till the next Christmas season and I am filled with warmth when I think of the stories that were shared. I can’t help wondering if it was unfair for us to have so much yesterday when I didn’t give a thought to the migrant family who moved into the street. I wonder what they did yesterday. Then again, would they know what Christmas is about?
As I sit and reflect I wonder: Did you sit at my table on Christmas day? Did you wish to share your story as we told our own? Did we miss being aware of your presence Lord?
I wonder.
God of the Living Word, forgive me when I don’t hear your voice. Forgive me for making time to celebrate Christmas, yet forgetting you.
© Ranjini Wickramaratne-Rebera
For a number of years, our dear friend Ranjini Rebera wrote Biblical reflections for the use of Gungahlin Uniting Church and others, usually for Advent and Lent. We were privileged to receive these, as Ranjini had a working history of writing and teaching on a global stage. Each time she completed the considerable work on one of these studies for us she would announce firmly, ‘That’s it. That is the last one I’m writing. No more. End of story!’ But as Advent or Lent came around again she would start hinting that she’d had an idea for a reflection – and she would write another one.
When she completed a Reflection for Lent 2021, we were not to know that this really was the last one. Ranjini died on 13 October 2021. We miss her intellect, her leadership, her vivid personality, her artistic gifts, her deep faith and her pastoral heart. We have lost some colour from our world.
The Gungahlin Uniting Church Worship Team, where Ranjini served for several years, offers Ranjini’s study material, first produced in 2015, as we give thanks for her life shared among us.