"Need a Light?"

In the Ohio River Valley, December is a peculiar month.  When we think of December we tend to visualize snow, the perfect backdrop for a Bing Crosby Christmas movie marathon.  Yet, as was demonstrated this past week, each day is a pot luck adventure when it comes to weather. 

Some December days are dry and some are wet.  Some are frigid, but some are almost balmy.  Some are bright and some are dark.  And as far as it being bright or not, people aren't the only ones who are a bit confused by the tricky weather we've been having. 

On Monday evening, for example, I noticed that the modest array of Christmas lights on our front porch did not turn on when dusk had fallen.  At first, I assumed that something was wrong with the lights themselves.  I tinkered for awhile with them and finally realized that the problem was not with the lights per se, but with sunlight (or the lack of it actually).  I unplugged them and then replugged them into their receptacle and they were then fine.  It was then that I recalled how dark it had been on Monday.  Heavy, low-hanging clouds had been ponderously rolling across the sky all day long.  The sensors in the Christmas lights had simply never detected the arrival of day and therefore had not reset so that they were ready for the coming of another nightfall. 

Monday was a dark day literally and December is a dark month, or at least would seem so with its ever shortening days, except for the fact that the glittering glow of Christmas season lights have a way livening things up. 

Be that as it may, darkness has a way of creeping into our hearts.  Physically, we need some exposure to sunlight so we can be healthy and whole.  In fact, you can order an personal artificial sunlight lamp from Target if you are so inclined to combat that pesky thing we now call "Seasonal Affective Disorder" (or "SAD").  But since the Ohio River is neither in nor near the Arctic Circle, perhaps you will forgo this trendy little item. 

Spiritually speaking, we need light, too, for just as literal darkness suppresses our physical well-being, spiritual darkness does so with our souls.  The sun and its various benefits to us are illustrative of God's Son and the light that He shines into our lives if we will open our hearts to Him. 

For some reason, when we think about light and darkness during the Christmas season,  images of Rudolph come to mind and our children think of him as being the one who "saves" Christmas.  Why?  Because his "very shiny nose" can lead Santa's sleigh through the darkest and stormiest night that the North Pole has ever seen.  

Rudolph's story reminds me a little of Jesus' love.  Before you say, "Yeah, right", bear with me just a moment. 

The Bible says in John 1:9-13, that "The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.  He was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize Him.  He came to that which was His own, but His own did not receive Him.  Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become the children of God – born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God."  

Light coming into the world?  Not received by His own?  Kind of like Rudolph being called names and not being allowed to play in the reindeer games, don't you think?  

But deadlier even than the storm that nearly cancels Santa's Christmas Eve toy delivery are the thick, black clouds of selfishness, hurt, anger, and fear that constantly roll across our lives, threatening to choke out hope, purpose, and fruitfulness. 

And let's face it:  some days are darker than others.  Some are nearly overcome with hopelessness stemming from the weight of financial cares, struggles with health, the breakup of relationships.  For many, this is a very dark time indeed.  For many, there is no joy in Christmas for they've either never seen in their own hearts the light of Jesus' love shining through or they've forgotten how bright His love is.  Many are stranded on their own versions of the Island of Misfit Toys, vapors and fogs of doubt and fear screening from eyes of faith the reality that God is on His way, or that He is in fact already present with them.  

Yet there is no sin and despair that the laser light of Jesus' forgiveness cannot pierce it and eradicate it with the light of hope.  And when I say "hope" I mean that it's a guaranteed thing with God.  The Scriptures tell us that IF we receive Him as Lord and Savior, then He WILL give us the right of relationship with Himself through the Son.  

So whatever clouds may be hanging low in your life right now (or at any time for that matter), you have the promise of a light that will guide you faithfully home to the Father's heart with all the joy, peace, and love that comes from knowing Him.  If you need that kind of hope right now, then you perhaps need to pray to Him, "Jesus, with Your love so bright, won't You drive away my night?"  As you trust Him and yield yourself to that kind of love (the love that took Jesus to the cross of Calvary in your place), you'll find that there is no darkness that cannot be overcome.   

(Thom Mollohan and his family have ministered in southern Ohio the past 14 ½  years and is the  author of The Fairy Tale Parables:  Classic Fairy Tales Pointing to God's Love and Truth.  He is the pastor of Pathway Community Church and may be reached for comments or questions by email at pastorthom@pathwaygallipolis.com).