A Life of Light

This new year, 2015, has been declared The International Year of Light. A scientist this morning spoke of lasers, solar power, “harnessing light” and the wonder of stars. He also mentioned that light is “self-evident”, because most of us can see what light reveals, as light defeats darkness.

Christmas is a season of light – breaking into the world in Jesus. There is light from angels and stars in the sky and there is light in the words spoken and sung by characters across the gospels. The light is no momentary glimmer; it gives hope to Mary, Elizabeth and to the shepherds who are out in the paddocks. The people at the gospel’s heart are not the greatest, but the least and suddenly everyone can hear the invitation of God.

It draws foreigners from far away, reassuring Matthew’s gentile community that everyone is invited to worship the Christ.

Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, ” Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” [Mt.2.2]

The light casts shadow and we see hints of betrayal and social failure haunting Joseph when he discovers Mary’s pregnancy. We encounter the malignancy of Herod and watch as the light drives the shadow back and is present in the world at the best of times and the worst of times.

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. [Jn.1.5]

The light is declared by an aged prophet, not just for Israel’s people, but for all humanity. Simeon knows the power of darkness, but he knows the greater potency of God’s light.

For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel. [Lk.2.30-32]

We are some of the custodians of this light, as disciples of Jesus, as John was. We bear witness in our worship and our faith to the light which defies and defeats darkness, which heals and offers hope, which declares our God engaged in the world for the sake of the world.

He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. [Jn.1.7-8]

In our world now, as then, people will masquerade as light and hope, using words to tickle our ears and smooth our concerns. We need to be confident that God speaks first in Jesus, against whom we measure every word spoken and every action.

When governments declare that war brings peace, that greater restrictions guarantee our freedom, that imprisonment offers justice, that darkness is light, look to Jesus. When preachers tell us that Jesus’ words are not what Jesus meant, look to Jesus. When we believe that our faith is measured in numbers – of dollars, of people – look to “a child, lying in a manger, wrapped in strips of cloth”.

In him was life, and that life was the light of all people.