Reflections from our church family this Advent.
Follow the whole series here.
Light
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
I have fond memories of playing Spot the Christmas Tree with my brother and I now play it with my own kids — although being the driver leaves you at a disadvantage. It can get pretty competitive with rules being challenged — do all Christmas lights count or just Christmas tree lights! It just wouldn’t be Christmas without the lights.
God’s first recorded words in Genesis is “Let there be light” — He started by bringing light to the world. When the darkness of sin came, light came again through the birth of Jesus, “the light of the world” (John 1:5). Light surrounds the Christmas story — in the darkness the angel appeared to the shepherds and ‘the glory of the Lord shone around’. The wise men followed the light of the star through the darkness to find the Messiah.
Unlike the lights at Christmas, the light of Jesus isn’t just for a season, He didn’t take the light with him when he ascended to Heaven. Jesus tells us “whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” and he tells us “You are the light of the world”. In a world of darkness we are called to be the light. Light warns of danger, helps others see, guides the way, brings warmth and comfort.
Prayer
Jesus thank you that you stepped down into darkness for me. Thank you that through your birth, death and resurrection darkness was overcome. Through the guidance of your Holy Spirit help us to be the light in the world, to bring warning when needed, guidance, hope and comfort. Thank you that your word is “lamp to my feet and a light to my path” and help us to walk in it with boldness remembering that light can enter darkness but darkness can not enter light.
Amen