One of my favorite things to do during the Advent season is to walk through the Sanctuary. With the Christmas decorations up and the trees lit, it’s a beautiful space. As you are probably aware, during Advent we have made the Sanctuary open and available for people to come for prayer and meditation.
Folks can come and just spend a few minutes in the quiet. Sometimes they light a candle on the small altar that we put out just for this purpose.
“Be still, and know that I am God!
I am exalted among the nations,
I am exalted in the earth.”
– Psalm 46:10
Just a few minutes ago I walked through the Sanctuary. It was quiet and peaceful. The lights on the trees were glowing. Clearly, some folks had been here this morning for prayer: there were three candles lit. I was struck by, even in a space as large as our Sanctuary, how much light those candles give off.
It reminds me of a truth: Light always overcomes darkness. Darkness never overcomes light. A shadow always disappears when exposed to light. A dark room always brightens when light enters. During this time of year, candles are symbols of light in the midst of darkness. (Have you ever noticed how in a dark room, our eyes are always drawn to the light?) Even the Christmas lights that we put on our homes are not just decorations; they are symbols of our homes and our lives being surrounded by light.
There are days when it can feel like darkness is winning. There are days when life is difficult, and when it feels like light is hard to find. There are days when it is easy to forget this truth: Light always overcomes darkness. Darkness never overcomes light.
Remember what Jesus says in John 8: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
And the light enters. In just two short weeks, we celebrate the coming of the light to our world, and to our lives.
Look for the light that brings hope and peace. Look for the light that makes the darkness disappear. Let your eye be drawn to the light that is Christ.
It is coming.
Peace,
Pastor Todd
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