Light of the World

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. All things were created through him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. That light shines in the darkness, and yet the darkness did not overcome it. There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify about the light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the light but came to testify about the light. 

The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.  

John 1:1-9

As I sit writing, it is nearly winter where I am. Each day by 5 pm, the world around me is in total darkness. People in the neighborhood are beginning to put up Christmas lights. Each house brightens the street a bit more.  

It is much the same as we enter into this season of Advent. We begin by lighting one candle. It offers a bit of warmth and a bit of light, but it is building toward a brighter light. A light that exploded on the scene a couple thousand years ago but had been shining since the beginning of time and will continue to shine for all times to come.  

Looking outside my window, I can see the darkness overcoming the light. There is nothing that can be done. As the sun sets, the darkness settles into place around me.  

Sometimes, we look at the world around us and observe the darkness overcoming the light. The world often feels broken. The darkness can feel like a burden too heavy for us to bear.  

Yet, John reminds us that the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness does not overcome it.  This is quite a remarkable statement. When we turn off the lights, darkness enters. When we blow out a candle, darkness enters. When the sun sets, darkness enters. Often, in our world, darkness overcomes the light.  

But Jesus came as the true light. The light that never goes out. The light that gives life to all people. The light that radiates more brightly than any light we’ve ever known.  

Thanks be to God - Jesus invited us into that light with him.  

This year, as we enter into Advent and wait expectantly for the arrival of our King, may we be reminded that Jesus is the light of the world and that he has invited us to shine that light brightly on the weary world around us.  

This Advent, may we be beacons of light that brilliantly reflect Jesus in all that we say and do. 


~  Melissa