There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. (John 1:6-9)
Most times when I read this prologue, I am focused on John the Evangelist’s powerful description of how Christ came into the world as the Word: the Word that was with God, the Word that was God, the Word that was in the beginning with God, and the Word that came as life and light. I am often stunned by the power of this poetic prologue and what—and how—it tells us of the God who chose to become human, as life and flesh and light, and a God who is involved with us. Yet, in the midst of the stunning description of the Word, I am drawn back to John—the one who we call the baptizer, the one who prepared the way, who as the Scripture puts it, “. . .came as a witness to testify to the light. . .” Testimony to the light coming into the darkness!
We need darkness. I find myself uncomfortable with the ways that we perpetuate stereotypes that hold that all that is good is light and bright and white, and all that is evil is dark and black. We need darkness. The seed in the ground, the child in the womb, a night of sleep, the body and soul in rest and dreaming! We must have times of shelter from the light in order to grow in the ways that God calls us to grow. The prophet Isaiah says from God, “I will give you the treasures of darkness and riches hidden in secret places, so that you may know that it is I, the Lord, the God of Israel, who call you by your name” (Isaiah 45:3). Classical spiritual writers speak of the “dark night of the soul”.
And yet, even as we are called to accept the gifts within darkness, the holy season of Christmas bids us to recognize our ancient longing for light - to celebrate the God who came to us as light into the world. In the midst of the shadows in our lives, in the dark nights of the soul, God calls us to look deeper, and to look more closely. We find the presence of the Christ who dwells there – the light of the world. And, when we find that presence of Christ in our lives - to bear witness to the light!
How do we, in our own lives, do what John the baptizer was called to do with his life? How do we bear witness to the light of Christ in our family, our home, our community, and the world?
Entering into the holy season of Christmas, here at the end of our Advent journey, join me in this examination of conscience:
- In the days, weeks, months to come, how will I bear witness to, point toward, open myself to and share the God who came as life and light?
- Are there any shadows that I’ve grown too comfortable with, any places of darkness that God might be wanting to stir around in and shed light on?
- Are there pockets of ignorance or indifference within me that God might be desiring to illuminate?
- Is there some dark corner of my soul that I’ve been content to leave in the shadow, in mystery, where God might be inviting me to light even a small flame and wait in the stillness to see what God reveals?
- What light beckons me? What does God want of me as God’s witness?
Wherever your path takes you, may this Christmas be
for you and yours a season of celebration, one of hope, and a time of peace - a
time of light in the darkness!
Rev. Dr. Bill Wilson
Rev. Dr. Bill Wilson
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