Some excerpts below (read the full post here):
The dot of light in the sky that the magi followed from the east to Bethlehem was the dim light of a lamp compared to the greater Light. The arrival of Christ broke through the gloom and dispelled the darkness.
In the high church tradition, four candles are set out the first Sunday of Advent, but only one is lit. Then, each consecutive Sunday, another candle is lit until on Christmas Sunday all four flames shimmer in the front of the church. This is to remember and celebrate the dawning light of Jesus when he entered our world.
Light illuminates and reveals. People who walk in the light can see where they are going (1 Jn. 2:10-11). Light enables us to see things for what they are and enables us to recognize the truth (1 Jn. 1:6-7). Maybe John wanted to leave the door wide open, so that whenever we stood in the sunlight or enjoyed firelight or lamplight, we would be reminded of God. I am sure that John did not have physics in mind, nevertheless, the physical light that shines in our world is not unrelated to God, “for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good” (Mt. 5:45).
If God is Light and God is love, then we can never turn away from light or love, because that would be a turning away from God. Light and love are combined in our life with God, “The one who loves his brother abides in the Light (2:10). That is why belief and a religiously moral life are not the essence of Christianity. The active and external part of our life with God is always about “faith working through love” (Ga. 5:6).
Jesus enters our world at Christmas to tell us we are not alone. He tells us of his Father in heaven, and then in the light of his teaching and the love of his actions, he shows us the Father. In Jesus, we get a taste of the world to come.
No comments:
Post a Comment