Deeper Reflection
CHRISTMAS IS, IN SOME WAYS, A FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS. Just look at the fabulous Orchard Road Christmas light-up or the fairy lights on our Christmas trees. Pretty lights cheer us up!Light isn’t just beautiful, however, it is absolutely needful. Without sunlight, plants and other photosynthetic organisms would not be able to convert solar energy into the chemical energy needed to sustain life in every cell. No light, no life.There is also a spiritual connection between light and life. John the Evangelist writes: “In Him was life, and the life was the light of men” (v.4). God alone has life in Himself (Jn 5:26). This life is light to us because it is His revelation. Just as light is needed to illuminate our path on a dark night, we need the light of God’s salvation when we are trapped in sin’s darkness.And here’s the good news. The moral and spiritual darkness we see in the world and in our own hearts has not defeated the light (v.5)! No matter how overwhelming the darkness might feel to us, the truth is that it is no match for the true light. This is because darkness is simply the absence of light – it flees when light comes! No matter how resistant our friends or family members might be to the light of Christ, we can continue to intercede with hope. And in dark and troubling situations, we can sing with the hymnwriter Maltbie Babcock:This is my Father’s world: O let me ne’er forget That though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the Ruler yet.