Shining
by Pastor Jim Strelan
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… the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining (1 John 2:8b).
Read 1 John 2:1–11
Children bring a lot of joy to our Christmas celebrations, don’t they? One of the things my wife and I love to do as grandparents is to take our grandchildren to see the Christmas lights. One of the best displays in our area has thousands of lights, probably more than most other displays, but the true Christmas message is clearly announced. It brings us a lot of joy to see the sense of wonder in our grandchildren’s faces – the more lights, the better!
It’s not by chance that our Christmas celebrations are full of light because what we celebrate is the birth of the true light, someone who comes to dispel our darkness and bring us to a new time. If your church lights Advent candles in the four weeks leading up to Christmas, they will also have a central, taller Christ Candle – the one for Christmas Day and the days following. Here’s Jesus. Here is the true light. Let him shine.
If we carry the name of Christ, then what he is washes over us. When we are baptised, we are christened – linked inextricably to Jesus Christ and all he is. And he is the light. So, in this Bible reading, we are reminded to be what we are. If we are one with the one who is light, then live in that light. And that shows itself in how we are with our ‘brother’, the other one, the one to whom we relate, whoever that might be. We deny who we are when we act toward the other as though we are in darkness. If you claim to be in the light, then you will live as one in the light. It makes sense, doesn’t it? That’s a daily determination. Letting the darkness pass so the light can shine.
So, Christmas is for every day. It is for living. It’s not always easy, but we have someone who speaks in our defence (verse 1) and advocates for us so that we can start again. It’s all good news, and we are reminded of that and celebrate it during these days.
Light of the World, shine your light into my life so the darkness can pass. When my light is dim, rekindle it by your presence, which repels all darkness. Amen.
Jim is a retired pastor who lives with his wife, Ruth, on the north side of Brisbane. He is a proud and not very humble Brisbane Lions supporter. Jim likes to read, listen to music and play golf. He and Ruth love being with their young grandchildren and watching them grow. For Jim, grace is everything, and he will share that however and whenever possible.
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