John 1:1-8
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.2 He was with God in the beginning.3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.4 In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.6 There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John.7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe.8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. (NIV)
Every year, the Christmas lights go up earlier—our local warehouse store had some up before Halloween. Maybe we’ll see them over Labor Day next year. And, there are some really tacky displays. I remember “Go Oilers” written in blue lights above a manger scene in Houston years ago. In our ‘active adult’ community, many homes still squeeze massive displays from former large properties onto these little postage size lots. While it would be easy to write off all this as people who ‘just don’t get’ the real meaning of Christmas, I choose to view the lights as reminders of the amazing claims made in today’s reading.
Jesus was with God from the beginning, and He is God. The life he brings is the light of man, and made flesh He is uniquely qualified to bring it into the world. In Him was life, and that life was the light of men. Later, in Jn 12:35-36, Jesus calls for us to believe so that we might be the children of light. “You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. The man who walks in the dark does not know where he is going. Put your trust in the light while you have it, so that you may become sons of light.”
So, I will try to absorb some of the light from the holiday décor, taking it as a personal reminder to me that I must never miss an opportunity to be in the Presence. I will take this offering of the “light of life” while I have it.
Peace,
Karen
