December 29, 2024 ☩ The First Sunday of Christmas

“A Light that Lightens All Others”

on John 1:1-18

on John 1:1-18

“A Light that Lightens All Others”

As a child, I vividly remember helping my father set up the lights on our Christmas tree.  We often remember tasks that are grueling and tedious.  Sure, I loved putting lights on the tree and cherished doing things with my father.  However, those of us who strove to reuse decorations from year to year a couple decades ago or so, we know that when one light is out, the entire strand is out. 

If we were lucky enough to not lose the one or two extra bulbs, we would take one and replace each bulb until the strand would illuminate.  Sometimes it required taking bulbs we thought were good from other strands that also would not light up.  It was tedious.  But once we found the culprit, the strand would light up suddenly and so would our hearts. 

Jesus is the Light of the world.  He is that bulb that gets inserted into a dark world to light it up immediately.  The same way the Christmas décor in our homes changes our mood by drawing out our Christmas joy, what some call our Christmas ‘spirit,’ simply by being in the presence of it, Christ does likewise for us. 

There are so many experiences we have that give us that same sudden peaceful serenity.  For example, when we hear children rustling in our churches, we recognize a newness of life and a hope for the future.  We may not yet know what that child will be as an adult, but we believe – we have faith – that goodness will be brought forth.

Even when we Baptize a new member into Christ’s holy, universal Church, we feel the hope-filled bulb placed into the right socket that enlightens the entire community of believers.

“What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people.   [John 1:3-4]

Twice, John the Baptist is brought into the Gospel reading.  John the Evangelist, or Gospel writer, introduces John the Baptist as “a man sent from God, whose name was John” [John 1:6].  There is an enormous emphasis on John as a “witness to testify to the light” [John 1:7] noting that “he himself was not the light.”  John the Baptist was faithful.  He remained committed to pointing others to Jesus, even as his following grew.  John could have easily coopted his followers to gain personal wealth, greater renowned, and popularity.  Still, he remained humble and sought no focus upon himself.  He remained as a witness and sign to point toward Jesus, the Messiah.

“The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.” [John 1:9]

If we return to my original imagery of the Christmas lights, we must parse out the distinction between the bulbs and the light they throw into the room.  In my analogy, we are the bulbs.  The light that comes forth from us, working together, is Christ’s Light.  A bulb finds its place in a socket – it fills a vacancy amidst a community of other bulbs.  It places itself in a position where its skills and talents may be utilized well.  When all these things come into place, a Light of our Messiah becomes evident and illuminates beyond the string of lights into the room.  The Light’s glow enables us to see things in the space we had not seen before – or enables us to see the space in a way that we have not seen it before.  Same room, different feeling.

In this Christmastide, I ponder deeply in my heart how Christ, and even others fill those empty parts of my heart so that a greater Light may shine forth – a Light that does not signify personal growth in greatness, but an ability to illuminate Christ’s presence in the world.  May we all ponder how it is that Light of Christ changes how we see the world – same world, different feeling.  That feeling is embodying the life of Christ, who is the light of all people.  Christ’s Light can change us in the way the room changes when Christmas lights finally illuminate around a tree in a darkened room – with beauty, peace, and grace.

Still, we must not forget, the Body of Christ is like the strand of lights.  It testifies to the Light (Jesus) just as John the Baptist had, most effectively, when it operates together.  Because we are one Body in Christ, we also needn’t toss the bad bulbs away, but embrace the restorative power of Christ’s grace to renew those bulbs that require rekindling – for each person is so much more than glass and wire. 

The Psalm shares with us today: “[The Lord] heals the brokenhearted *
and binds up their wounds.  He counts the number of the stars * and calls them all by their names.” [Psalm 147:3-4]  Our God cherishes us each so deeply that he knows us each by name and heals those who feel broken.  Renewal and restoration are cornerstones of the Light of God in the world.

In our togetherness, we find the Light.  In our community of faith, we testify to the Light, joining John the Baptist.  And when we live as One, our Light is shared with all who look curiously in our direction.  That Light changes us, and the way we, and others, feel the space in which we show forth that light, because this special Light spreads “grace and truth” [John 1:17]. 

May we be One, with one another and the Light of God, that we shine forth the grace of God in Jesus Christ, pointing all to the source that strengthens and illuminates our world, and our hearts.