Dec 7th

Sam came home from school today in tears.   Not because of anything that had happened really, but because he had been playing rugby after school and was soaking wet, covered in mud and frozen to the core.  His hands were numb.  He had no feeling in his feet.  His teeth were chattering  and he was unutterably miserable.  

I was instantly transported back to days on the hockey field at school , on frozen snow covered pitches where I was stood in goal ( cos I was rubbish at hockey) and rapidly turned into a frostbitten block of ice whilst all the action went on at the other end of the pitch.

Being cold is miserable.   And actually it is dangerous too.

Keith and I had a chat about rugby.   Keith said it was so dark on the pitch he couldnt make out which child Sam was.   The coaches were all dressed up in tracksuits and hats and gloves while hapless little boys in shorts were rolling about in the mud in the pitch black!!   Keith felt that it was not safe - if an accident were to happen ( and lets face it they do all the time in rugby) nobody would see it.  And frozen fingers cant hold a ball, frozen toes are easy to stamp on etc etc.     I'm all for team sports and ' manning up'  but it does all seem a bit ridiculous.   Especially when its only going to get colder and darker as the weeks go on.

Sitting here thinking about it tonight I am reminded of those well known verses in Isaiah 9 v 2

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light

I know this verse well.  But tonight, thinking about Sam playing rugby in the cold and dark somehow it takes on a new depth of meaning.    

Life is like a game of rugby.   Its not meant to be played in the pitch dark.   Its dangerous to play it like that.  And not one bit of fun.  It is meant to be played in the daylight where the ball, the touchline, the goal and the opposition can be clearly seen.  

The Bible tells us that without the light of God's love living in us we are in the dark.  Isaiah 59 :2  But your iniquities have separated you from your God and your sins have hidden His face from you........... therefore..we look for light, but there is darkness, for brightness, but we walk in blackness.  We grope for the wall like the blind and we grope as if we had no eyes'  ( to verse 10)

In the dark you cannot see your adversary.  You can't see your goal and you can't see your coach.  You can't see those who are cheering you on.   In the dark it is cold, and cold saps our energy and strength

The message of Christmas is that we don't have to be in the dark!


“Arise, shine, for your light has come,
    and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.
² See, darkness covers the earth
    and thick darkness is over the peoples,
but the Lord rises upon you
    and his glory appears over you.
³ Nations will come to your light,
    and kings to the brightness of your dawn.   ( Is 60 1-3)


Lord, thank you that in Jesus you shine in the darkness and the darkness can neither understand nor overcome your presence.  Thank you that I dont have to grope in the darkness to find my way.  That my enemy is clearly visible in the light and that the goals you set before me are attainable and in my sights.   Thank you that with you as my coach, teacher, guide and friend we shall not only play a good game but enjoy the playing of it.   Thank you for the warmth of your love.  May others see your light in me so that I may be a beacon to light others on their path to You