Beginning Again: The Light

9 The true light that shines on all people
    was coming into the world.
10 The light was in the world,
    and the world came into being through the light,
        but the world didn’t recognize the light.
11 The light came to his own people,
    and his own people didn’t welcome him.
12 But those who did welcome him,
        those who believed in his name,
    he authorized to become God’s children,
13         born not from blood
        nor from human desire or passion,
        but born from God.
14 The Word became flesh
    and made his home among us.
We have seen his glory,
    glory like that of a father’s only son,
        full of grace and truth.
John 1: 9-14 CEB

While I worked at First Atlanta, the fourth Sunday in Advent was always used to do a dramatic retelling of the Nativity. It always ended with John 1. It has left a mark on me, and I want to end Advent with a excerpt from the first chapter of John. There are a couple of reasons for this:

First of all, John 1 tells creation through the lens of Christ. We go from being born of the world to being born in Christ. Considering I'm doing a baptism tonight, it's a beautiful reminder of the bigger picture. We have gone from "the beginning," to "beginning again."

Secondly, John brings context to that center candle on the advent wreath. Christ is the light of the world. It shines in the darkest places; highlights the the most forgotten and excluded among us. 

We are reminded that the light came into the world to be in one place at one time. It dwelt among us. However, eventually something happened. Instead of the light going away, it remained in the form of the Spirit. Now the light is in all places at all times. Christ brings order to the chaos. Christ allows us to begin again.

Merry Christmas everyone! No matter what your circumstance, may God's love shine within you, and light your darkness!