January 5, 2026
Broadcast
The True Light - Part 1
John 1:9-11
01/05/2026
9 The true light, which enlightens everyone, was
coming into the world.
10 He was in the world, and the world was made
through him, yet the world did not know him.
11 He came to his own, and his own people did not
receive him. (ESV)
Each Sunday, as we gather at God's invitation to receive
from Him the gift of the forgiveness of our sins and life
everlasting, we present to Him the prayer of the Church. Each
week this prayer, called the Collect, builds on the truth
presented in the readings which we hear. This last Sunday the
Church prayed:
Almighty God, You have poured into our hearts the true
Light of Your incarnate Word. Grant that this Light
may shine forth in our lives; through the same Jesus
Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with
You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Although the Gospel reading was about Jesus being taken to
Egypt to escape the wrath of King Herod, the Collect builds on
the truth that the Wise Men sought the infant Jesus and came to
worship Him. Their prophetic gifts of gold, frankincense, and
myrrh proclaimed Jesus as the King of the Jews, as true God, and
the One who would die for the sake of all people.
The Collect is drawn from the first chapter of John's
Gospel:
The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming
into the world. He was in the world, and the world was
made through him, yet the world did not know him. He
came to his own, and his own people did not receive
him.
Jesus Christ is the Light of the World, the light no
darkness can overcome. In these waning days of the Christmas
season, and as we prepare to celebrate the Epiphany tomorrow, we
confess our Lord Jesus Christ as both true God and true man.
May our Lord grant that the true light of His grace and
mercy shine in you for your eternal blessing. Amen.