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.
