Phil Wyman: Dim Saesneg

Advent December 7th: Saint Edren’s Day
John 1:1-14
laboring though unknown

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world.

He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.”

It is one thing to be rejected, it is another to be forgotten or ignored. Many of our efforts go unnoticed. Like God Who holds the universe together with His goodwill and love is ignored by much of humanity, we too can do good things for people and remain unrecognized. The missional person will not be hindered by a lack of recognition. The goal of the missional mind is the benefit of others, and any benefit gained by serving others comes almost as a surprise.

December 7 (also November 26) is Saint Edren’s Day. Saint Edren is an unknown saint in Wales. Two locations are associated with his/her name: Carnedren Uchaf and Carnedren Isaf.

Prayer: Lord, forgive me for my forgetfulness, Too often, I am unthankful for the excessiveness of Your goodness. I stand blindly inside Your creation and complain about the minute details of life. All the while, I become frustrated by others who do not recognize me as I think they should. Teach me to remember all Your goodness, and help me to be satisfied even when I feel forgotten like the unknown Saint Edren.