_ otherwise gloomy history.

The Light Shines in the Darkness John |:1-18 Christmas Eve Meditation
December 24, 1964

The writer of Genesis needed, in a few words, to lay the foundation for the

story of God and his people. These words, written thousands of years ago, have
become the prologue to the Bible:
In the Beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was
without form and void: and darkness was on the face of the deep.
And the spitit of God was moving over the face of the waters. And God
said, 'Let there be light', and there was light."

Here we have the components of a definite view of the world and life and

history. "Darkness, without form and void" — until God acts, and then there is
light. It is a theme that appears again and again throughout the Bible. ‘he
plaintiff cry of Job: "I am hemmed in. by darkness, and thick darkness covers my
face." The Prophet Isaiah, describing a struggling and despairing Israel: "The
people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; these who dwelt in a land
of deep darkness, on them has light shined."

Throughout the Old ‘estament we can feel the polarization: on fhe one hand
the cosmic darkness before creation, the darkness of existence apart from God.
And on the other hand the creation of light as fre RZKZK Gad's first act: the
light pf a bush burning in the desert: a pillar of fiery light illuminating the

way through the slaxz wilderness: the saving acts of God shining through Israel's

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The Biblical writers are joined by other philosophers of history in their idea
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of darkness and light. Aqgmeatomensonceseetd: "A far better thing it is to light a

candle, that to curse the darkness." But a candid look at the human story reveals
than man's candles have not been durable. Some have lasted longer than others,

but one by one they have disappeared into the darkness. ,he high points of hispory

are the wars, the struggles that pitted man against man. Fer-every—feetirg=peace
there-has-been an ensuite eToody war

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The ongoing stream of history is a story of men battling darkness, — the darkness
of ignorance, bigotry, pride and hateed. The brief candles met habe lighted and
thrust bravely into the waxkmess night have been no match for the forces of darkness.

Today the words of the Prophet penetrate the barrier, of 3,000 years with their

eternal relevance. We are still a people who walk in darkpess. The present is more
comfortable than the past. But stillx we battle the darkness of ignorance and

i, i
poverty; the darkness of war and bloodshed. In the words of eenyson, "However we

brave it out, we men are a Iftttle breed.”

Toni ght we have gathered to celebrate the coming of light Into the world. But
this light is different. Man did not ignite this light we celebrate: if was not
the result of man's best and highest hope: it does not depend on man's noblest
efforts. This light was begun by God. For twety centuries it has burned in the
midst of history's darkness. It has been opposed, it has been ignored: it has
flickered low in storms of hatred and tragedy; but it has not gone out. It burns
still because it is the same quality of light that came oer the formless void

in the beginning, and shone down on the misery of captive Israel. It burns still

because its fuel is the power and justice and love of Almilghty God.

Man lights his candles amidst xam fanfare and aco lade: man delebrates his
” ——= a

self-created light with great gatherings and speeches. This light came into the
world in the simplest of ways. Absent were the tangible silgns of a momentous
event. There wes only a mother, and the ma agony and pain and love which Is human
birth. |

The lights of the world burned in other places that night. In Bethlehem homes,

in palaces, in road houses filled with travelers. And in the darkness of a stable
the true light came into the world,

Accept a bit of light for yourself. Allow it to gleam, dispelling the darkness

——_—_—_—<_——_——___.,
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all about.

Be

We have indulged in a bit of symbolic ritual. We have accepted a small flame.
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And together the light from our candles fills the sanctuary. But tonight, on this
night of nights, we must not be guilty of empty symbolism, or trite gesture. For

on this night, God's own light came into the world. On this night the love of God
reached down and embraced man, calling him ouf of the darkness. On this night in

Bethlehem of Judea, a child was born who is the light of the world.

This_is what we celebrate: not the sentiment and glow of a candle, but the

unspeakable gift of God's light, light that casts out fear, light that dispells
all darkness.

ZK As the light created by our ritual fills this sanctuary, may the true light

of Jesus Christ be rekindled in the sanctuaries of our heerts. As we leave this place
may that light go with us, shining into every corner of jour lives, and through
our lives, into every corner of the world.
Let us rejoice! for Jesus Christ is born, and "in i" was life, and the life
was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, jand the darkness has not

overcome it."
Amen

Almighty and Eternal God, fulfill and enrich our Christmas celebration. May the
lighting of these small candles mark the renewal of our | tutte. my the light cast
by their gleaming together be symbolic of the light of Jesus Chri gt in our lives.
O Eternal God, accept our words of humble gratitude on this night and accept

the rededication of ourselves. With thy guidance, may “| find the way; with

thy light may all darkness be dispelled. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen