The light of life
John 1:1-5 (NIV)
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 He was with God in the beginning.
3 Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made.
4 In Him was life, and that life was the light of men.
5 The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.
Good morning!
I am blessed every week day to be in the company of some wonderful people. I am surrounded by Jewish tradition and culture at work. Many of my co-workers are either practicing Orthodox and/or Reformed Jews. We have a kosher kitchen in our building. Special foods are prepared for meals each day to accommodate the needs of my Jewish friends. For years I have read about the many beliefs and traditions that my Jewish brothers and sisters share; yet, for the first time, I am actually experiencing the meaning of their beliefs through their teaching and daily example.
One of my co-workers took some time last week to help me understand the importance of Hanukkah, their traditional festival of lights. With every sacred holiday, the light becomes the focal point in its worship experience. The Hanukkah lights are lit for the sole purpose of noticing the light. It is not meant to be a light to read by. The sole purpose of the light is to reflect on what it means to bring light into our world and how every person contributes to that process.
The celebration of Hanukkah occurs in the shortest daylight hours of the year. Sunlight evaporates quickly into a long and dark night. For eight consecutive evenings, the celebration of Hanukkah and the lighting of the Menorah candles illuminate the darkness with the light of God. Long ago, their forefathers showed great courage and faith as they rededicated the Temple using a small flask of oil to light the Menorah candles, kindling the sparks of faith with its own generation and to all future generations. It is an amazing thing to be able to pour out faith and hope into such a small vessel, which ultimately will shine as the light of life into the world.
Christians around the world are lighting Advent candles in worship, reminding us of the light of life, who was born long ago in a Bethlehem stable. Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of all prophecy. He was here in the beginning and He will be here in the end. We join hands together in worship and praise, celebrating His glorious and unending light.
I leave you with a burning question. If the light of life shines in the darkness, illuminating our way every moment of the day and night, why is it that the darkness cannot understand it? The light of God overcomes the dark night and faith in Him dispels fear. Spend some time today reflecting on the light of your life. If you are struggling to understand, ask the Holy Spirit to enable you to see the light for what is truly is. Ask Him to open your eyes to the wonder of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Grace and peace,
Deb Spaulding
www.songofdeborah.com
Pray for: God to reveal Himself to you through the light of life. Ask God for faith to see through the darkness of night. If you seek Him, He will find you.
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© Copyright 2006, Deb Spaulding
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