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Light in the Darkness
John 1:1-14; Matthew 5:13-16

       As Advent begins, we are almost in December.  We know that every day we’ll have less daylight. Ready or not, we’re about to experience the six darkest weeks of the year. 
     Darkness and light is the theme in today’s message.  Before Jesus was born, there was a prophet named Zechariah. He told the Israelites, “There is One who is coming who will give light to those who dwell in deep darkness and in the shadows of death”. You and I were not alive then, but I think we can imagine the sorts of things that can bring people to a place of darkness, of bleak despair. How does a person face their day knowing they have too little food to feed their family? What’s it feel like to not have enough money to pay the bills?   What’s it like to not have a permanent place to live? What does chronic illness or disability feel like?
      Beyond these personal and family struggles, other things can cause us to feel like all is dark. Isn’t every form of violence a perpetual problem? What about those who steal? Or those who scheme and plot to gain power, but misuse it? Isn’t this all darkness? What hope is there when people live in darkness?
      People were living in darkness in Zechariah’s time, and it wasn’t much different when Christ was born in Nazareth. God’s Son didn’t come into a world that was filled with light!  But from the moment he took his first breath, the Light of the world came among us. Matthew says that light dawned; it began to shine, much like the rays from the morning sun that we see break across a distant horizon in the early dawn.
      Have you seen the morning sun slowly rise?  Is it your habit to watch that as often as you reasonably can?  Who among us doesn’t marvel at the beauty of the sun, as its rays of light dispel the night and bring us daylight?
       The arrival of the Son of God can be compared to the sun rising on the horizon.  Some will rejoice in that light, which makes all that is hidden be seen. Others will dislike the light because it exposes their wrong deeds.  That uncomfortable truth came up one dark evening when Nicodemus, one of the Jewish religious leaders, sneaked off to ask Jesus some serious questions.  Here’s Jesus’ reply: “Light has come into the world, but some people love the darkness rather than the light,” because their sinful deeds are exposed.
      The light of Christ does expose our sins, but its rays also help illumine the way for any person to experience forgiveness and freedom, hope and holiness, and so much more.  Jesus said, “Anyone who follows me will have the light of life” (John 8:12).  For three decades Jesus’ love, healing, teaching - his very presence - was light, and that light pushed against the darkness.  
      Then one dark night during his last Passover meal with his disciples, Jesus knew Judas was going to betray him.  He turned and said, “This is your hour, and the power of darkness.”  Not much later Judas led those who wished Jesus dead to the Mount of Olives where he had been praying.  The dark deed was done, Jesus was taken captive.
     A far greater battle between darkness and light happened as Jesus hung on a cross for our own sins.  At the 6th hour, darkness covered the whole land until the 9th hour.   The sun failed to shine upon the earth.  Jesus cried out, “It is finished” and he died.   Do you remember how it was still dark when the women went to Jesus’ tomb on Sunday morning?   When they arrived, it was empty; Jesus Christ was risen from the dead.  Once and for all, the dark enemy called death was defeated.  We who walk in the Light need never fear death.  Christ triumphed, and we were delivered.  Notice that’s past tense.  It is done, accomplished on our behalf.   We will join Christ in heaven, where there will be no darkness. 
      The Good News for us today is that the Light of the World, Jesus Christ, who has cast out our sin and crushed death, has the power to defeat any darkness that comes toward us as Christ’s followers.  Our God is able to do all things.  When worries, heartaches, fear or hopelessness get hold of us, Christ knows we’re struggling; He wants us to turn to him, to pray and especially to trust.  When we feel burdened, our spirits so low, Jesus can set us free from that.  How might that happen?  Our situation may resolve, or our perspective on it may change, but whatever happens, it will be God with us, and in us, that makes all the difference.
      The one born in Bethlehem brought light into the world, and that light spread.  It has exposed our sin and saved us.  We rejoice that death’s deadly grip is broken - it is finished - for Jesus rose from the grave and went to heaven.  And praise God, we are promised the same future!
       The great love of God has done these things for us, and far more than we could ever name.  Now we are called to live in the light! God will help us turn away from sin.  He will lead us toward His good and perfect will.  But there is more: we who are inwardly transformed are called to be outwardly focused. God is counting on us to be “a light to those who are still living in darkness”.  Jesus described how a lamp should not be lit and then hidden under a bushel basket.  If it is, the world stays dark. But what might happen if two candles were lit and seen by many… or perhaps 200 candles, or 200,000?   We are called to be like the rays of sunshine at dawn that come over the horizon.  We can show and share with others how amazing it is to walk in the light, in freedom, knowing peace, feeling loved and filled with hope.  Filled with hope!
      In this first week in Advent, we know there’s still plenty of darkness in our world.  But Jesus, born in Bethlehem, our Savior, has put Darkness in check on Easter morning.   It will be checkmate - full defeat - when Christ comes again.  Light will win; darkness will be banished.   
      I want to leave you with a Life Application idea.  Who here has an Advent wreath at home with 4 candles you can light?   If all you have is 4 candles, and no wreath, that can work as well.  
     Tonight, when you eat your evening meal, would you try something?  I think it’ll make you really think about the difference Jesus has made in your lifetime.   But the larger lesson will likely be how much others need Jesus in their lives.
     Wherever you plan to eat your evening meal, suppose you light one Advent candle and put it near your plate. Then go turn off all the lights so you are sitting in “almost darkness”.  
      One light does dispel darkness - some.  If you feel a bit uncomfortable with that single candle in the darkness of your home, think about our world...and Jesus. Darkness...and the advent, the coming, of Light.
     I encourage you to eat your evening meal in “almost darkness” tonight, on the Lord’s day.  But if you can make this practice a spiritual discipline every day this week, I think God will illumine and change you. 
     May the light of Christ shine within you and through you to light your corner of the world.

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