Monday, December 2, 2024
This devotion is the written accompaniment to a video Advent message on our YouTube Channel:
Please read John 1:4-5
“The Light”
Have you ever noticed the lights all around us at this time of year. Not just Christmas lights but other lights as it is naturally darker outside, we see more lights. Porch lights, window lights, streetlights, headlights and more…even the stars seem brighter and more visible on clear nights. All of these are made more brilliant again the backdrops of evening and morning darkness and gray winter days.
Most of us are probably so used to these little glimmers of light that we forget we are rarely in the true dark unless we live or vacation remotely. Even then we generally have phones and electronics that provide light. So… we really are rarely, truly, in the dark.
Perhaps this is why this scripture on light in a darkness not understood stood out to me as we reflect on how God’s love is made visible. We tend to focus hard on the lights, regardless of where they come from. Good deeds are not only a Christian concept. So what makes the light of God’s love made visible different than the other lights of love in this world?
For one, they shouldn’t turn off on December 25th. So many of our churches go above and beyond in this time of year, but they also maintain that consistency in serving out of love throughout the rest of the year. I think of our own congregation, faithfully making meals each month, filling our Blessing Pantry and so much more. The lights, to be honest, can certainly seem dimmer in January, yet, our hope and prayer is that what you begin now will continue to make the light in the darkness, the love of God came down more visible and constant throughout the rest of the year.
Prayer: O’ Lord, let our lights continue to shine more brightly each and every day. Amen.
Rev. Kara Swartz,
Co- Minister at Newark Central Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)