The Light by Anonymous
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:1-5
John emphasized that Jesus was Light coming into the world, driving out darkness. John has barely begun his gospel narrative before introducing this cosmic conflict as the reason God the Father sent the Son. With a confident foreshadowing of the story’s end, John assures us Who will ultimately be victorious.
“That light shines in the darkness, and yet the darkness can never overcome it.”
Right here John sums up the season of Advent. Even amidst the great deal of darkness in this world, the light of Jesus Christ shines bright. He who experienced all of the darkness, even death itself, and was not overcome now dwells in us as God’s Spirit.
As followers of Jesus, we still live in a world where darkness seems ever-present. Remembering the truth found in John 1:5 and the resurrection of Jesus allows us to have faith that, in the words of Frederick Buechner, “the madness and lostness we see all around us and within us are not the last truth about the world but only the next to the last truth.”
Jesus, Light of the World, during this Advent season, may we not fear the darkness, but help us see the same Light that came into the world over 2,000 years ago and still shines in us today. When we grow weary, strengthen our hearts. When we feel despair, encourage us through Your church and Your Word. Where there is darkness, lead us to be reflections of Your Light. Amen.