“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.”—John 1:1-5
The days are slowly becoming lighter out longer….minute by minute. This time of year one cannot help but be reminded by the darkness in our world. Darkness that surrounds so many with the darkness of mental health issues. Darkness that comes from death. Darkness that comes from war and the potential of war. Darkness that comes in so many ways. Yet the darkness cannot and does not overcome the light of Emmanuel; God with us.
There were so many days from October of 2017 to December 2018 that I could not catch my breath; that it truly felt like the darkness was winning. But then slowly, the darkness broke way to light as the sun rose on a new day. That sun born in the Son of Emmanuel; God with us.
IIn a manger, in Bethlehem, Jesus cries pierced the darkness of that holy night as Mary birthed her son; the Messiah, the one who came to save . The wisemen followed a light; the star, to bring him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. And years later, Jesus breathes his last on that hill on Calvary. Only for the women to come early the next morning, the light of the morning sun leading their way, to find an empty tomb.
Darkness can so easily take over. But you only need a little light to see. Think about it. In the midst of a power outage, you only need a few candles to take away the darkness a little. Or during a dark winter night, you only need your cars headlights to be able to see.
Darkness bears way for light. Yet one must first have darkness for the light to be born. I’m reminded of the Japanese art form of kintsugi. In kintsugi, they take a piece of broken pottery and put it back together. Then they place gold lacquer over the cracks because it’s the place where the light gets through. The truth is we are all human and we have and will experience times of darkness but because of God’s love for us, Jesus comes to overcome the darkness.
I know this because death comes but new life will too. I know this because I’ve seen resurrection take place. I know this because my Lenten weary roads have led me to Easter morning. I know this because I’ve witnessed the beauty of light breaking through the darkness to create a sunrise only God’s master hand could create.
The darkness in our world will not triumph. The light is the promise of Emmanuel; God with us, the Word made flesh for each and everyone of us…..
“For the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness does not overcome it.”