1-2 The Word was first,
the Word present to God,
God present to the Word.
The Word was God,
in readiness for God from day one.

3-5Everything was created through him;
nothing—not one thing!—
came into being without him.
What came into existence was Life,
and the Life was Light to live by.
The Life-Light blazed out of the darkness;
the darkness couldn't put it out. (John 1:1-5, The Message)

One of my favorite activities during Advent is the Christmas Eve Service. There are two highlights of this service for me. One is the lighting of the Christ Candle. It is always a highlight because Light, "The One True Light", has come into our existence. One of the logistical things during the service is to darken the sanctuary and light that one huge candle that reminds us that Christ has/is come. It is a wonderful visual of "the Life-Light blazed out of the darkness" and God is with us. Connected to this is the second highlight for me in this service. It's when I take my little candle and light it from the Christ Candle and then take my candle to the congregation and begin lighting the candles of other people, who in turn light the candles of others around them. When I make my way back to the front of the sanctuary and look out over the people, there's LIGHT! It reminds me every year that "The Life-Light blazed out of the darkness; the darkness couldn't put it out." No matter where the darkness is, the Light will not be put out. No matter how evil the environment, no matter how much people loved darkness more than Light, the Light will not be "mastered" or thwarted. As we observe Epiphany we celebrate that Light, that it shines for all humanity - and in all situations. Sometimes as we journey with God, it appears that the darkness is overwhelming, greater, that there is no end to it. It helps to remember the Christ Candle and the God who sends His Son, the Light, to all people and nations, and to all people suffering through dark experiences. The LIGHT has come, is come, is here, is with us - even when we have a hard time seeing Him. I don't know why, but sometimes I find myself humming the hymn "O Love That Will Not Let Me Go". One of the verses reads like this:

"O light that foll’west all my way,
I yield my flick’ring torch to thee;
My heart restores its borrowed ray,
That in thy sunshine’s blaze its day
May brighter, fairer be."

The LIGHT that has come gives up a glimpse of the great Love and Grace of God. He sends The Light, and shows again and again, that He will not let us go, He will be with us, He will show us The Light even when the way appears to be dark.

Thank you, Lord, for the Light, even "when darkness seems to hide Your face." Shine, Jesus, Shine! Amen.