December 26
John 1.1-5
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 all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
Some things are taught and understood differently than when I was in school. But I remember that we were told in one of the science classes that there really is no such thing as cold, it is a lack of heat. And there is no such thing as darkness, it is a lack of light. When it comes to darkness, I have seen that no matter how dark, when we bring in a light source, the darkness is overcome by light. Small amounts of light make a room have light. The only way I have seen to make a room dark is to turn off all light sources and block all outside sources of light. Light always wins the battle with darkness.
That image stays true from the analogy into the story John is showing in the gospel. He begins the gospel message with light overcoming darkness. Life coming from the light that wins over darkness. That is the final word. The final words of the gospel take us through the resurrection of Jesus, the reinstatement of Peter, and the promise of return.
The last words John writes from Jesus, in Revelation 22, state that Jesus is the bright Morning Star (Revelation 22.16) and then he ends saying, “Yes, I am coming soon.” (Revelation 22.20). He is light overcoming the darkness of night and he promises return. Light and life.
As we move into the last days of the year on the calendar, or into the first days of a new calendar, see that the year we are ending has been filled with the light of Christ and the year ahead is promised with the light of Christ. The year ended was a year where we were given life in Jesus and the year ahead is one which will be filled with life in Jesus. The light of the world has come and is with us now. No fear of darkness. We have light and life in Jesus.
Song – O Thou That Tellest
Prayer
When all things in silence lay and the night was in the midst of her course, your Word leaped down from your royal throne, O God. So we rejoice and give you praise, that your Word may live in us and that we may glorify you forever. Amen.