The light keeps shining in the dark, and darkness has never put it out (John 1:5 CEV).
John is still making connections to the beginning—when the great expanse was illuminated by Jesus’ glorious, spoken light.
Light from Light.
Spiritual darkness was born with the devil’s rebellion and further darkened when he converted angels into demons. It entered the world with the sin of disobedience of Adam and Eve. But God shone light into that darkness with promise.
Darkness cast its long shadow, as faith’s night grew long, waiting for Light from Heaven to come.
And Light has come into the world—birthed in a Bethlehem cave. It signaled the end of the long night past and ushered in the day. Then skies gleamed with the light of a guiding star—capturing the wonder of magi from the east.
Peter, James, and John witnessed the glorious light of Jesus on Mt. Hermon, when Jesus was transfigured before them (Matthew 17:2). And they heard Him later proclaim, “I am the Light of the world!” (John 8:12).
The world, however, still knows both light and darkness. The world’s darkest hour came as Jesus hung from a Roman cross. But His grave glowed, radiant with resurrected life!
John penned this verdict: “Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil” (John 3:19). It is that love of darkness that has our world in such a terrible state. Those who fear exposure, who fear truth, prefer the darkness.
We were all once darkness, as Paul informs us in Ephesians 5:8. Jesus revealed this wondrous truth, however: “Those who follow me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life” (John 8:12). We have been “rescued from the dominion of darkness” (Colossians 1:13). Thanks be! Paul confirmed that we are now “light in the Lord.” Therefore, we are to “live as children of light” (Ephesians 5:8). That is a bundle of gifts for us to place under our lighted trees!
We’ve received the gift of Light and the rescue from darkness. How fitting that the season is all decked out in light!
“Almighty God, you have poured upon us the new light of your incarnate Word: Grant that this light, enkindled in our hearts, may shine forth in our lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.” (The Book of Common Prayer)
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