It’s morning. The sun is just up and we have a few hours of light before it once again gets dark. This is the dark season. It’s very symbolic, at least in this part of the world, that advent comes at the darkest time of the year. It’s when it’s dark that you truly value a ray of light.
As I turned 50 I discovered that I literally couldn’t see without enough light. I remember I was preaching in a Norwegian prayer house. It was an old building with dim lights, and as I turned to read from my Bible I realized that my vision was blurry – even with contact lenses. Without proper lighting I was unable to read my Bible. Now I’m one of those people in restaurants who turn on the light on my phone to read a menu… I’m sure you’ve seen us somewhere. The middle agers who have come to appreciate good lighting. I admit it: I need the light.
John 1 speaks of the Word being light and our salvation. Let’s read it:
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
It’s easy to get all wrapped up in the darkness. This fall we have seen some catastrophic decisions made by our government and we mourn the thousands of lives that will be lost due to the new law on abortion. We stare in disbelief as truth is twisted and lies are celebrated. We cry out to God as children are targeted with gender confusion and inhumane choices left to be made by not fully developed brains.
This is the dark season. But the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. Or as it says in the Passion Translation: And the Light never fails to shine through darkness – Light that darkness could not overcome.
Reflections
Later in the same chapter it says that John the Baptist came to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.
A reflection of Jesus, to show the way to the true light, the Morning Star, the only one who pierces the darkness.
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.Or as the Message version states it: The Word became flesh and blood and moved into the neighborhood.
He came to us. Walked with us. Broke bread with us.
We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
This is our privilege: to shine our light and point to Jesus.
Because this is the dark season. But in this very season we know the Light. And the darkness has not overcome him.
Our purpose
I have had several interns over the years, and right now, two of them are studying to become teachers. One day as we talked, I commented on the situation for the students who are now growing up – about what they are taught, how they are trained, and the culture they are being socialized into. And my former intern looked at me with stars in her eyes, saying: I know! Imagine the difference we get to make!
She got it. The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.
We carry the light of Jesus. Imagine the difference we get to make.
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