"The Light That Cannot Be Extinguished"

For this year’s Christmas Card, my husband, Brian, and I chose a bible verse that is particularly meaningful to us…John 12:46, “I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark.”

There was much division over who people thought Jesus was. Many saw the miracles, received a miracle, witnessed His grace, and believed Jesus was the son of God. Some saw the miracles, witnessed His compassion, and still did not believe. Still, some were conflicted… having seen His power and being touched but His words, but were afraid that if they followed Jesus, they would be an outcast or worse. People driven by fear, hemmed in by threats, held ransom by confusion. Stumbling around in the dark.

Confusion is frightening. Have you ever woken up not remembering where you are, or sat in the Doctor’s office wondering what on earth he means, had a panicked phone call about a loved one, been sown a seed of doubt about someone or something you were previously sure of…? The absence of certainty can be terrifying. Fear reigns gloriously in the dark.

Francis of Assisi said, “All the darkness in the world cannot extinguish the light of a single candle.”

Darkness is overwhelming and at times, the fear we experience within, overpowers us and our rationale. It hides our faith and saps us of our peace. The funny thing is it doesn’t take much light to dispel the darkness… just a single flame will do.

Jesus didn’t bring light with Him, He is light. We don’t see our way through this world by the light of our circumstances, the seasons, or the days… the light of Jesus shines independently of these things. We no longer need to fear the dark, the places of uncertainty and confusion, because the love of God lights our lives with faith and hope regardless of the darkness all around. And you can be sure that the night will end, and the morning will dawn.

Trust is the road that leads you out of darkness. It takes you by hand and guides you step by step until the black gives way to grey, then to murky brown, and onto the brilliant golden light of freedom where you can breathe easy and see the way forward.

So this holiday season, don’t cower in the dark waiting for the light of circumstance to dawn, look to Jesus… the light that cannot be extinguished. He is our eternal sun.

Merry Christmas & Many Blessings!