Beloved child of the light

John 1:9-12

The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.

He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God.

Today we bade farewell

and celebrated the life

of one of God's saints.

A child of God.

Even in the darkness of grief

or maybe even especially in that darkness

the light was visible.

The light that came into the world

in the form of a baby.

We celebrated the hope, love joy and peace of Advent

all rolled up in a life of faith

that pointed others to the light 

that cannot be extinguished. 

We gave thanks not just for the light

but for one in whom light shone

one who claimed her power

as a child of God.

And the darkness was pierced

with the light of love

that lasts forever.

Thanks be to God.