Verse for the week of January 3rd:
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.
(John 1:4)
Whenever I hear this verse, I think about the Christmas Eve Candlelight service. The tradition that I have used for many years is that on Christmas Eve when we are lighting the candles that are passed out—the beginning of the Gospel of John is read and this verse is a part of that reading.
We hear—‘the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.’ The image of all the candles is a powerful one. For we begin with one light/candle; and then it spreads to all the other candles. After all the candles are lit; it is amazing how much light is generated from these candles.
The candles are a symbolic way to see how the love of Jesus spreads out to the whole world. Jesus Christ is the light of the world. And at Christmas, Jesus is the true light that comes into a world full of darkness. Jesus is that single light.
The Gospel message continues to go out as Jesus grows and begins His public ministry. As he teaches, heals, performs miracles, and calls disciples the light begins to spread out. This spreading out of the light continues to this day, where we as the modern disciples are called to be light and continue to take the light of Jesus into all parts of the world.
The good news is that no matter how dark the world may seem, the Truth of Scripture is that the darkness can not overcome the light. That even though the Savior of the world is born as a baby, this baby is so strong that nothing can prevent the mission of this small baby from being accomplished for His light shines bright and can never be extinguished.
These candles serve as reminders to us that this season is not so much about a birthday as it is about the love, forgiveness and grace of God that breaks into the world and there is nothing that can overcome it. And that we are called to go and tell the story. Just like the words of the Christmas carol—‘Go tell it on the mountain. Over the hills and everywhere; Go tell it on the mountain That Jesus Christ is born!’
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