Jesus said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life" (John 8:12). We have all read about those astounding night goggles that hep military personnel "see" in the dark. For instance, in a totally black room you can see other persons, pictures on the wall, other objects in the room. Something in those goggles picks up the unseen light in the room so you can see.

What a marvelous parable for the church. There is some light in all darkness. We are the power that is able to pick up the beacon of unseen Light and enable the world to behold it more clearly. We know and trust a God who calls us out of darkness into his marvelous Light. Space scientists have long posited a theory about "black holes" in space. Black holes are dark cavities in which there appears to be no light whatsoever. The theory says that the force of gravity is so powerful that even the photons of light collapse in upon themselves under the pull. All light is gone.

The Christmas season is one in which to boldly proclaim that the Light of Jesus Christ can outshine even the black holes of space! The darkness of hopelessness, grief, illness, pain, and depression does not have the last word. The Light has come. The Light shines in the deepest darkness. And the Darkness cannot, will not, has not overcome it. That is the TA-DA! of Christmas and the New Year. We have been touched by the Light.

Prayer:  O Lord of our hearts and minds, we know you are always with us and you love us. Grant us the peace that comes from that reassurance so that whether we walk through fields of flowers or stumble along streets of sadness, we will walk beside you. Through Jesus Christ, the Light of the World. Amen.