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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 1:3b-5
There is no story of Jesus’ birth in the Gospel of John. Instead, this author describes Jesus’ entry into the human world in a different way: “The Word became flesh and lived among us.” (John 1:14) In the prologue to the Gospel of John (John 1:1-18), the writer offers many truths about Jesus’ presence with us. For example, we learn that Jesus, the Word of God, called all that exists into being and we find that what the Word called into being is life. We discover that the Word, that called us into being, is the light for all people. We also realize that this light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not and cannot overcome it. That last statement has particular significance on this darkest day of the year. Sometimes in the long nights of winter we feel weighed down and weary. We become mired in the struggles of our divided nation. We lose hope of healing the sorrows of our community. We grieve over the inevitable life changes that signal the loss of what is familiar and beloved in our lives. In the midst of our fears and sorrow, this passage from the Gospel of John encourages us to focus on the glow of hope. Jesus, the light of the world, is with us and for us. The darkness of the world cannot and will not overcome the light of God’s love, in Jesus Christ. As Advent leads into Christmas, may the Word of God feed the flame of our faith, because, as John testifies, the true light, which enlightens everyone is coming into the world.
Holy God, thank you for the gift of life and light. Ignite the spark of hope in our hearts and kindle the fire of our conviction. Guide us in spreading the word of your steadfast love that others may see your radiance through the darkness. Amen
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