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Light and Darkness Light and Darkness. A short while ago I was sitting in a restaurant and there was a sign saying that if anyone could work out this number plate – it had the letters - “DIMARK” -- they would receive a free dessert. I pondered on it and various options came to mind. It spoilt my night because although I finally cracked it and received my free dessert I had spent the whole dinner preoccupied with the riddle until I’d worked out that it said: “I’m in the dark”! The metaphors of light and darkness feature prominently in both Scriptural readings for tonight. In Isaiah 9 we read: “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light” “on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned”. In John 1 we read: “In him was life and that life was the light of men” “The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it” “The true light that gives light to every one was coming into the world”. It seems to me that most of us have a sense that light and darkness are somehow symbolic of the meaning of Christmas. A brief walk down some of the streets of Devonport; Mairangi Bay and Ponsonby reflects this understanding as people light up their homes and their Christmas Trees with Christmas lights and their Christmas tables with candles. Light and darkness are key images to unlocking the meaning of Christmas. So what do light and darkness signify? When we talk about ‘being in the dark’, we generally mean that we are ignorant or misinformed or that information is being kept from us. WE also associate darkness with blindness, being lost, danger and with gloominess or some great mischief as in ‘dark deeds’. In Biblical language, darkness signifies ignorance, false beliefs, ungodly practices or put differently, sin. Darkness also refers to times of suffering, despair and even death, especially spiritual death. An obvious example can be found in the 23rd Psalm where the psalmist talks of passing through the valley of the shadow of death”. The passage from John’s Gospel which we read tonight recognizes that the world is spiritually dead and so is enveloped in spiritual darkness. In contrast to this when we talk about ‘seeing the light’ we generally mean that we have had some important insight into a problem or into a situation that has been challenging us. When we talk about someone’s ‘face lighting up’ we mean they are filled with joyful recognition. In the light of day we can find our way and are no longer lost. Light is seen as the antidote to darkness and is thus an image of life, of salvation and of holiness. Perhaps it is for this reason that artists like Raphael have generally painted halos around subjects noted for their holiness. In Biblical language, light signifies life, wisdom, truth and purity or holiness. We recall from the book of Genesis that light was the first thing that God created: “Let there be light…. and there was light…. and God saw that the light was good.” So the metaphor of light is established from the start. Its purpose was to dispel the darkness that covered the earth. Light is a metaphor for God’s illumination of life’s path: “your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path”. Light shining in the darkness is a central image in the Gospel stories about the birth of Jesus. It is most obvious in the star shining in the night sky leading the wise men of the gentiles to the place of Jesus’ birth. It is also used in the imagery of the shepherds keeping watch over their flocks by night when the glory of the Lord shone around them and the heavenly host of angels appeared. So light is the symbol of God, his nature, his wisdom and truth and his reign over the earth and his presence in the world. More especially for St Matthew, St Luke, St John and for Christians ever since, Jesus is the light shining in the darkness: “The true light , which enlightens everyone”. This is the truth of the theme of light in the birth stories. By implication those who live or who are in darkness, meaning those who suffer from ignorance, false beliefs, ungodly practices or who are experiencing times of suffering and despair are the ones who are in need of God’s light who comes to us in the shape of the messiah. From where I’m standing, I reckon that pretty much covers all of us. “Those who walk in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness…. On them has light shined”. Jesus is the light of the world who came to reveal the light of God and to guide people in the way of God’s wisdom and truth. However we learn from John’s Gospel, that though Jesus came bringing light, not all of us apprehend the light and many of us continue to live in darkness. This seems to me to indicate that we have a choice. We can either choose the light or continue to live in darkness. All of us experience darkness in its various forms during our lives. Some of us are struggling with the darkness that comes from a feeling that our lives lack meaning or direction. Some of us feel the darkness of grief over a loved one who has died or of a relationship that has ended or a dream that has come crashing down. Some of us feel the darkness of ignorance. We do not seem to have clarity at present about the next move we should make in our life’s journey. Some of us experience the darkness of guilt over something we have said or done. Some of us feel the darkness of rejection and judgement by others. This Christmas when we celebrate the coming of the Christ Child as the light of the world it is useful to reflect on the particular form of darkness that is part of our life experience at this time. If we are struggling with the darkness that comes from a feeling that our lives lack meaning or direction then perhaps we can claim Jesus’ promise that he comes into the world to give us life in all its abundance. He offers us purpose and meaning and direction when he calls us to follow him. He shows us how we can make a difference in people’s lives by loving them unconditionally as he loves us. If we are struggling with the darkness that comes from grief over a loved one who has died or over a relationship that has ended or a dream that has come crashing down then perhaps we can claim Jesus’ invitation to come to him all who labour and are heavy laden and he will give us comfort and rest. He promises that he will be with us always even to the ends of the earth. If we are struggling with the darkness that comes from feeling that we do not seem to have clarity at present about the next move we should make in our life’s journey then perhaps we can claim Jesus’ advice not worry because God knows what we need and is always there to provide for all our needs and more. Jesus also promises to give us the peace that passes all understanding. If we are struggling with the darkness that comes from guilt over something we have said or done then perhaps we can claim Jesus’ promise that he did not come to condemn the world but to save it and to offer forgiveness to all who truly repent. Finally, if we are struggling with the darkness that comes from rejection and judgement by others, perhaps we can claim the grace offered by Jesus that to all who receive him he gives the right to become children of God. The good news of Jesus Christ is not merely for a select few, but for all the world and that includes you and me, no one is excluded from his love and grace. The image of Jesus as light of the world is central to Christian theology and offers each of us illumination no matter what form our particular darkness might take. The creed of the Christian faith states about Jesus that he is “God from God, light from light, true God from true God, begotten not made, of one being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven…” Let us receive this gift of grace with thanksgiving and praise this Christmas. |
