Did you see the beaver moon? Amazing. It gave way to a lunar eclipse. Without the benefit of astronomy, people in the ancient world often assumed the worst when the light of the sun or the moon seemed to go out. Imagine their relief when light overcame the darkness and reemerged.
Looking for the light, John found it in Jesus. In the fourth gospel, the beloved disciple calls Jesus, the word, life, and light. Those who lived in the shadow of darkness saw in Jesus a great light. The light of the world overcame darkness once and for all through the resurrection. John had a front-row seat to the victory of light over darkness.
Nicodemus also came looking for light, but secretly. Waiting until sunset, Nicodemus came to Jesus at night, asking for light. Jesus told him to come out of the darkness into the light of declared discipleship. Nic, who came at night, slipped shyly back into the seemingly safe shadows.
Our Christmas lights are already up on our house. Should we plug them in? Even better, we may walk today as children of the light. Today, if we are watching closely, we will notice that every time light engages darkness, it wins. The followers of Jesus reflect his light in a dark world. Jesus also said, “You are the light of the world. . . . Let your light shine before others so that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” So, shine. Get caught doing something good. Somebody is watching!
