The Light Shines in the Darkness

Let There Be Light

NICENE CREED

God from God Light from Light. These are the words of the Nicene creed. The first statement of belief of who God is. Father Son and Holy Spirit. The triune God was present from the beginning of scripture.

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, and the spirit of God hovered over the waters. Then God said, “Let there be light!” and there was light. God since the first day of creation has been illuminating the darkness.

The birth of Christ is no different. Isaiah 9:2-6

Isaiah 9:2–6 NRSV

2 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness— on them light has shined. 3 You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder. 4 For the yoke of their burden, and the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. 5 For all the boots of the tramping warriors and all the garments rolled in blood shall be burned as fuel for the fire. 6 For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

This morning we remembered the Word became flesh and made himself at home. Tonight we sit in the light of Christ, a reminder that God still illuminates the darkness. The light of Christ shines in the darkness of our world today and the darkness will not overcome it.

As we light candles tonight let’s remember the light of Christ that guides our way through the darkness of our lives. Let’s also remember as followers of Christ we bare the light of Christ. May we be like John the Baptist, and bear witness to the light of Christ that has come into the world.

John 1:4–5 NRSV

4 in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.

Testify to the Light

There was a man sent by God whose name was John. John the baptist was an interesting individual with strange attire and even a stranger diet. He ate locusts and wild honey. He came to testify to the light. He came to point others towards the light. He came to tell others that the true light was coming into the world.

The world Christ came into was dark. Israel was under Roman occupation, Rome’s idea of peace was peace through force. Uprisings against the Roman government happened and were squashed severely. Herod the great was so ruthless that in Matthew’s gospel he orders the murder of children 2 years old and younger. Jesus, Mary and Joseph fled to Egypt to escape.

The night our Lord Jesus Christ was born, was dark. God the word made flesh entered into a dark and broken world. Why did he give up his heavenly realm to enter into our dark broken world?

We can find the answer in John 1:10-13

John 1:10–13 NLT

10 He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. 11 He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. 12 But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. 13 They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.

Jesus Christ, Emmanuel, the Word made flesh, Son of God, Messiah came into the very world he created to once again bring light to the darkness of his good creation.

John 3:16–21 NLT

16 “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. 17 God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. 18 “There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son. 19 And the judgment is based on this fact: God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. 20 All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed. 21 But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants.”

Tonight as we sit in the glow of our candles lets remember that God’s Word still wrings out in Christ as it did in the beginning. Let there be light!