Thursday, December 24, 2020
In Him was life,
and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the
darkness did not comprehend it. There came a man sent from God, whose name was
John. He came as a witness, to testify about the Light, so that all might
believe through him. He was not the Light, but he came to testify about the Light. There was the true Light
which, coming into the world, enlightens every man. John 1:4-9
Snoopy of Charlie Brown comic strip fame is typing a novel.
He begins his story, "It was a dark
and stormy night ..." Snoopy always starts his stories in this manner.
Lucy looks at what Snoopy has written. She goes into a tirade, putting down
Snoopy for such a silly beginning. Doesn't Snoopy know that any good story
starts with the words, "Once upon a
time ..."
The last frame of the comic strip has Snoopy starting his
story again. Now he is ready. He types, "Once
upon a time, it was a dark and stormy night." Do you feel like Snoopy
sometimes? No matter how you begin your story you somehow revert to "a dark and stormy night." If you
feel that way today you are not alone. Most of us are struggling in one way or
another to overcome the dark side of our existence.
There is a lot of darkness in life. There are times where it seems we will never
break into the light again. The Bible
speaks of all mankind apart from Christ being in darkness and in need of the
light. The book of Job speaks repeatedly
about the darkness of life as he struggles with his troubles. It was into this darkness that God sent His
light.
It is light that dispels the darkness by revealing the truth
about it. In the darkness of our
despair, fear rises up in us for what we think could be there. We find ourselves groping and timidly
searching our way along in life. What is
it we need? We need light...the light
that enlightens us to the truth about the darkness and thus strikes down our
fears.
It is
light that brings understanding. It is
light that brings hope. It is light that
brings security. It is light that brings
salvation.
Out
of all the metaphors for Christ, this is one that all Christians can agree on;
that Jesus has brought light to our lives.
It is through His truth that we have been set free. He has conquered the darkness by revealing
not just our sin but His cross!
The people who walk in darkness
will see a great light;
Those who live in a dark land, the light will shine on them. Isaiah 9:2
The light of the world is Jesus!
Scripture to Claim:
For You light my
lamp; The LORD my God illumines my darkness. Psalms 18:28
North Side Baptist
Church will offer two in-person and online Christmas Eve Services today at 4:30
and 6:00 p.m. We will gather together to
light the Christ Candle on our Advent Wreath.
We will enlarge that light with our individual candles and gradually
darkness will be dispelled by the light.
We trust you will join us for this special event.
