A Light that Shines in the Darkness

I had a couple of really nice services yesterday. I've been sick, so rather than compose another sermon, I orchestrated services with shared leadership. It was really nice. In the morning I used Lessons and Carols, a modern version by Katherine Hawker (which I picked up from www.textweek.com) and in the evening I had a Blue Christmas service for those in my congregation/community who were having a hard time during the holidays. In both, the light that shines in the darkness permeated all of the scripture and themes. For the morning service, the emphasis was on BEING the light and for the afternoon service, the emphasis was on seeing even a glimmer of light in our darkness.

Sometimes I need someone to preach to me. One of the retired pastors in my congregation, a UCC guy, thanked me for the morning service. I had been listening to the readings -- mostly poems -- and noticing how many of them were not exactly your conservative Christian readings. And I got to thinking -- I hope my congregation doesn't get offended. Anyway, this pastor sat by me after the service during fellowship time (usually I'm walking everywhere conversing, but since I was sick, I needed a seat) and he began to tell me what he heard in the readings. "I heard," he voiced, "that the light has been in this world since the beginning of time" (John 1:1 reference) "and that it will fade out if we don't carry it." Suddenly the gospel took on new meanings to me. Jesus showed us how to carry the light. We don't need him to come back and carry it some more. The light is still here. It's still waiting for us to embrace it and shine it to the world. Whether we "reflect" God's light or recognize that it is within us waiting to be ignited, it is here! Maybe I'm not saying it very well, but he spoke much of what I have been feeling. We have a lot to do with how much light can be seen. Answers to prayers can come from God through us. We are not mindlessly wandering the darkness awaiting enlightenment. The light is already here. I guess it pierced me in a new way this season.