1-10-2021

 Good Morning All, 

    John 8:12; “Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

     The few weeks before Christmas this past year, there was great interest in what was called “The Christmas Star”.  It was the planets Jupiter and Saturn appearing to line up close to each other and shine brightly in the sky.  I watched with fascination the three weeks before when I would return home from our Advent services at St. John’s.  As I drove home, I watched as the planets appeared to move closer to each other.  Each week they moved closer until they appeared to combine and shine brighter than the two did separately.  I wondered if the world saw the irony in the world once again looking to a star at Christmas time.

    I think, for many, the Christmas Star was a welcome diversion from a rather difficult year.  It gave them something that was fascinating, pretty, clean, and quite unfathomable.  In the vastness of space, these two planetary giants, though they are millions of miles apart, they seemed to join together.  Was this “the” Christmas star?  I do not know but some try to make a good case.  While standing outside on a cold winter’s night looking at stars can be a good way to spend the evening, it offers small comfort when you return to the reality of your life and darkness once more takes hold.

    Darkness does have hold of this world.  The devil and his cohort dwell in the dark in order to confuse, divert, obfuscate, hide, and cover the truth.  Many are deceived, Many, are simply lost in the dark.  Many cower in fear, not knowing what is around the corner or beyond the hall.  They stumble and fall as traps and blocks lay before them.  We see that darkness even today as many seek to hide the truth for their own gain, their own pride, and their own lust for power, to even be God.

    It was into this darkness that Jesus came to be the light, to shine forth and expose the darkness for what it is and to reveal the hope for those who are gathered around Him.  In Jesus, we see the light that shows us hope.  He shines to show the forgiveness that we so desperately need.  He shows us the cleansing we receive through his gracious sacrifice on the cross, cleansing us with the waters of Baptism to make us clean that we are declared sons of God, living in the light of our Father’s steadfast love.  We have that light, we have that hope; the hope that only Jesus, the light of the world, can give.  Cling to Jesus and live eternally in His light.

Precious Jesus, in You we have light and life.  Keep us ever in your loving arms.  Defend us from the terrors of the devil.  Protect us and all Your redeemed, especially those who are battling temptation, fear, and darkness.  Help them to remain hopeful in You.  Send your holy light to all who do not know You that they may also dwell in Your eternal kingdom.  In Your loving care we remain, amen.

 God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret