The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness – on them light has shined. (Isaiah 9:2, the first lesson of Christmas)
During our dark winter mornings I step outside amazed by the stars and constellations and I offer the day’s first Psalms to their Creator – our Creator.
Without deep darkness, we miss the most glorious light. We have great possibility in dark seasons. Economic turmoil and financial fears; the world’s polarization and strife polluting even the church; the sadness of deaths and departures from our congregation; these and so many other falling shadows can be just the backdrop by which we see the most glorious light:
If I say, "Surely the darkness will cover me, and the light around me turn to night," darkness is not dark to you, O Lord; the night is as bright as the day; darkness and light to you are both alike. (Psalm 139:10-11)
At Christmas we worship the one true light – because it shines for us. The light dimmed its own splendor to plunge into our darkness, so that we can escape the darkness and shine in splendor forever.
What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it (John 1:4-5); For the same God who said, "Out of darkness let light shine," has caused his light to shine within us, to give the light of revelation—the revelation of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 4:5-6).
Come out on our dark Christmas Eve and adore the light who adores you.
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