Nestled amongst the twinkling lights and tinsel, the chinking of glasses and happy giggles of toy-laden children, a story is waiting to be told. It’s story that, despite of, and in the midst of, our fears, brings hope into forgotten places and broken lives. Elizabeth, our Supporter Engagement Lead, shares why The True Light is her favourite resource.

At Christmas, when the focus is on decorations, food, and festive activities, it is easy to lose sight of those who struggle with the trappings of the season. While for some Christmas is about presents and family and refreshment and joy, for those with lives too hard, too damaged, too alone, too much, it can be difficult to see how Christmas has anything to offer.

Because what happens when we are on the outside of all the joy? Like a lost child huddled against the cold, gazing through a window drenched in the golden warmth of Christmas lights, unnoticed by those inside. Or those rushing to their next emergency, hood up, head down against the biting wind with no time to indulge in the splendour of a heavy-laden Christmas table. What does the Christmas story have for them?

When life is too complicated and heavy to be put aside for a season of festive activities, or when loneliness and heartbreak carry a desperate longing for connection, the Story must have meaning in that context for it to be real and believable.

The True Light tells the Christmas story in a way that acknowledges the humanity of those who struggle, and offers them the wonder of a baby born to save the world in a way that makes sense through burden and hardship as well as light and laughter. The True Light meets us where we are - in the hopes, dreams, and disappointments of our everyday lives.

If you are someone who finds the trappings of Christmas hard, but is still searching for meaning beyond the madness, or a church reaching out to those on the margins of your community, The True Light might just be the resource for you.

Christmas speaks not only of hope but of welcome, of coming near - themes that are at the heart of one of Matt's favourite resources.

Matt shares: "When it comes to Lifewords resources, I think I’d have to say that OUTSIDE/IN is my favourite."

I really love the idea of the 'welcome into the story' element of this Christmas resource and the beauty and the truth of the 'outsiders' or unlikely characters being central figures in the story. The refrains in the text along with the biblical content really extend that sense of welcome and inclusion. We based a Christmas service at my church around the resource and also used the digital resources including the animation, which is also available in British Sign Language. 

Another resource I love is the Ninefold Path notebook, a key part of one of our projects The notebook is a great resource for digging deeper into the beatitudes, these sayings of Jesus, and enabling you to get into practices and ways of being beyond just knowing the words. It works great as a personal journal or as a group resource journeying with others in putting into practice the way of Jesus. 

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