Friends in Christ Weekly Message
January 3, 2015

The light keeps shining in the dark,
and darkness has never put it out.
John 1:5 (CEV*)

John (1:1-18) provides a Christmas story, commonly called the Prologue to John, of a different type than in the other gospels. This story doesn't deal with specific places, and doesn't mention Mary and Joseph by name. It gives a broader context in which to understand Christ Jesus as the Living Word of God and the Light of the world.

In reading the Prologue to John this year, this particular verse stood out for me. It may be because the world, and the United States in particular, has seen darkness in a special way this year. It has been a time when people have been led to focus on the role of faith in times of darkness.

This verse reminds me that the light of Christ continues to shine no matter how dark things may seem. No amount of evil can extinguish this light. It is an overcoming light stronger than all the sin in the world.

Our responsibility and privilege is to stand in that light, and to reflect it for those around us. We do this by focusing on Christ and the blessings he brings, being faithful in prayer, and being obedient to the promptings of Christ in our lives.

Regardless of what has happened for you in 2014, I hope that you are focused on the light that darkness can never put out. May the New Year bring an even deeper sense of this light in your heart.

Bill Samuel

* Contemporary English Version ©1995 American Bible Society.

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