Loving God, you continue to come to us through your Word, bringing light and life.  Renew us in your love this day, that we might be able to see the signs of your presence, through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

            The gospel that we heard today is sometimes called the prologue to the Gospel of John.  In it, we hear both the Christmas story and the story of creation.  We hear about John the Baptist and the rejection of Jesus at Nazareth.  We hear about becoming children of God and about Jesus’ true identity.  We hear about the law that was given through Moses and the grace and truth that is found in Jesus.  We hear about the light shining in the darkness and about the one who gives life to all creation.  We hear about the Incarnation – the Word becoming flesh and “tenting” among us.

          The light shining in the darkness is of particular significance this time of year – particularly in the Northern Hemisphere.  We are getting closer and closer to the longest night – or shortest day – of the year.  At the same time, the light from our Advent wreath has been growing week by week.  By the time we get to the celebration of the birth of Jesus, the days are already getting longer.  Christ – the true light – has come into the world.

          Still, for many people, this is a dark time of year.  Those who have lost loved ones close to Christmas often struggle during December.  Those who are alone when family and friends usually gather together often struggle to see the light.  Those with seasonal affective disorder struggle with the lack of sunlight.  And those who don’t have enough to live on struggle to figure out how to give their children a good Christmas.  Of course, then you add Covid into the mix, and for many, the darkness has deepened.

          The need for the one who is the light of the world has never been greater.  Over the past week, I’ve asked a number of people for any signs they have seen of the light shining in the darkness.  Some of the examples include every act of kindness that helps people in need; every meal provided for those who are hungry; anything that helps people to experience God’s love; a beautiful sunset; or even lighting a candle as a way to meditate and to be aware of the presence of God.  There are always signs of the light shining in the darkness.  The challenge is for us to be able to see them.

          Meanwhile, when we start to think about some of the functions of light in the darkness, one of the most obvious is that it helps us to see.  Jesus, as the light of the world, also helps us to see, for in Jesus, we see God most clearly revealed.  Through Jesus, we discover what God is like.  Through Jesus, we discover the love of God for a lost and broken creation.  Through Jesus, we see God’s grace and truth, and readiness to forgive.  Through Jesus, we discover the lengths to which God is willing to go in order to give salvation and eternal life.

          Today, John the Baptist is introduced as “a witness [who] came to testify to the light” (Jn. 1:7-8).  Sometimes, this is our calling as well.  As those who have come to know Jesus, and who have received from him grace upon grace, part of our calling is to share the light of Christ with others.  Whether in a caring phone call, or a listening ear, or sharing with those who have less than us, it is our privilege as servants of Christ to be the light in the darkness for others.

          At the same time, each of us has times when we are the ones who need the ministry of others.  In fact, that is what loving one another is all about.  Sometimes we are able to give, and sometimes we need to receive.  Either way, it is Christ working in and through each one of us that makes this possible.  We all have our limits, but the Spirit of God working within and among us is able to do great things!

          And so, spend some time this week nurturing the light that shines in the darkness.  Spend some time with the Word made flesh, as God comes to tent among us.  Spend some time listening for the grace and truth that comes to us through Jesus.  For, he has come to initiate a new creation, bringing light and life, even in the midst of the darkness.  And, even now, “the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it” (Jn. 1:5).  Thanks be to God!  Amen.

Advent 4 (NL 4)                                John 1:1-18

December 19, 2021

St. Luke’s Zion Lutheran Church

Pastor Lynne Hutchison

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