As we begin to turn our focus to Christmas, no matter your faith perspective, I think we can all agree that it is celebrated universally with light. I love paradoxes. I’ve become more and more aware of them. Here are a few – when I most need people around me, to help and support, it's the time when I am most annoying to those who love me! When I need sleep like never before, is the time I find it hardest to drop off. Do you know anyone else like that?
The paradox of the Christmas season is that we celebrate with light, in this country anyway, during the darkest times. The 21st December is the shortest day. It’s still 24 hours (or 23 hours 56 minutes and 4 seconds), but the hours of light are less (7 hours 49 minutes and 42 seconds) than any other day. Do you travel to school and home in the dark at this time of year? If so, make sure you enjoy the paradox of the additional lights that begin to appear in houses, on houses and in shops at this time.
In John chapter 1, we read words that describe Jesus. It reminds us too of the beginning of creation:
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
We think this week then on the introduction of light into the world. If you have chance this week, go somewhere dark, then turn on a light. Focus on what happens to the darkness as soon as the light appears. What do you notice? Let us look for the light, especially in times of darkness.
