Message from Gary

Greetings from your Pastor

4 In him was life, and that life was the light of people. 5 The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.

(John 1:4,5 New International Version)

 

 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 1:4,5, The Message)

 

 Last week we had friends visiting. On Friday night we went for a walk to see the lights of Simcoe. Unfortunately they were a day early. Light up was November 28 and we were in Smithville enjoying a concert about the Light. We were not walking in darkness because the street lights lit our path but in terms of Christmas illumination we were if not in darkness at least disappointed. It seems that the residents of Simcoe were abiding by the appointed date of light up even though Mary Jo and I had seen some of their creativity on other walks. Our friends Dave and Helen, missed the lights but they were so close, just a few hours.

 Light is so predominant in the Christmas stories. John describes Jesus coming as light. John does not have a birth narrative. John describes the incarnation as a Life-Light to live by. Light: Matthew records the light of the star that guided wise ones from the East to the place where Jesus lived. Luke tells us that the shepherds were amazed and fearful at the great the great light that accompanied the angel.

 Light is a part of our Christmas. Whether it be the lights on the Christmas tree, the lights on outdoor trees or the lights on our houses, we surround ourselves with light. All of these lights remind us of the Light that came into the world so long ago. In Jesus was life and that life was the light of people. I marvel at the lights that I see as I travel. At one time in my life I would have railed at the waste of time and energy. Now I rejoice in the lights because for me they point to the LIGHT that darkness has never understood and can never put out.

 Long after the light had supposedly been extinguished, the light still shines so that we can make our way through life. Helen and Dave missed the lights of Simcoe, but they continue to live in the LIGHT.

 The Light of Christmas is still shining. We see it in many ways. It shines brightly in all who have experienced the LIGHT.

 

In Christ's love

Gary

 

 

Gary