The Light of the World

         "In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.  The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it...The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world...And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." (John 1:4-5,9,14)
          Praise God for His light--for the Light of the world--and that no matter the depth of the darkness, it will never ever overcome His light.  His light will always pierce the gloom of darkness and overcome--just as Jesus overcame from the cradle to the cross.
          I awoke early this morning and in the predawn darkness, turned on our Christmas tree..the inky darkness scattered and the riotous colors of light broke through and shined in our house.  I felt overwhelmed at that moment with the gift of light and with God's greatest Gift of the Light of the World.  Do we take that gift for granted?  Will we pause in the midst of our busyness or distraction and thank God for His gift of light and for The Light that shines in the darkness and will always overcome it?
          "The people who sat in the darkness have seen a great light and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned." (Mt.4:16)  Many of us have experienced that shadow of death this past year.  Our family has felt it's dark, sorrowful shadow pass over us twice just this Advent season.  We have mourned and grieved the darkness of death, but we have not grieved as those without hope...for we know that this is merely death's shadow.  Because the Light of the World came at Christmas, He has defeated and overwhelmed the real thing--death itself--so that we merely walk through the valley of the shadow of death.  But even in that shadow, we walk in His light.  We bear His light.  And we travel towards His glorious conquering, shimmering, light. 
            So today, rejoice that it is the eve of the day we celebrate His coming.  Today, acknowledge the darkness.  Grieve the darkness of sin and death.  But then celebrate that the Light has come!  He is here.  And the darkness will never ever overcome Him!  In every Christmas light you see today, might it be a reminder to you of the Light of the World--and He is with you, lighting your world. 
         Might we be His light bearers this day and everyday to those who desperately need to see and to know that the Light of World has come and is coming again. 
         To God be the glory.