Today’s author is Prince of Peace member and music coordinator, Milt Warkentien.
It’s not hard to find darkness in the world, but sometimes it seems hard to find the light. On Sunday, at the 8:30 service Pastor Steve Sveom gave a wonderful sermon on darkness. (I suggest you watch the sermon on our YouTube page, if you haven’t heard it, or re-watch it even if you have). I loved how Steve said darkness is around when Power and Service (gentleness) are no longer intertwined. Jesus came into this world as a baby, but also a king, and showed compassion for all people. Power and Service were intertwined in Jesus. Oh, how many of the world’s leaders don’t have this intertwined quality.
The scripture for the 8:30am service was Isaiah 42:1-9. Steve said that this scripture was used by Matthew and Luke to reflect the coming of Jesus and that it is also sometimes used to reflect the community of the Israeli people. I think this scripture can also reflect that WE are to be the
light of Christ. Verse 6 reads “I chose YOU to bring justice, and I am here at YOUR side. I selected and sent YOU to bring LIGHT and my promise of HOPE to the nations.” WE are to be the light that shines in the darkness.
At the 10:45 service, the children of Prince of Peace told a wonderful story put together by Pastor Melanie Hill. There was definitely some light shining through from the wonderful narrators and readers, vocal solos, vocal trios, and the cast of the nativity. It always amazes me how much light shines forth from a child.
Why does this light many times diminish as they age?
How many of us shine as much light as we once did? What is putting out that light?
In the Christmas story, we have the ultimate gift of light to the world. WE ALL know the Christmas story, so why does the darkness that is in the world start to overcome this incredible story that WE ALL know?
Last year, I commissioned Ashwini Sandanayake to draw a nativity scene for me, which is the picture that accompanies this devotion. Ashwini is an amazing artist, and it was such a treat to see the nativity through her eyes, in her drawing. Notice that the light of the star is of great importance in her drawing. I believe Ashwini still has the light shining brightly in her, and I hope her compassion for people remains strong.
How strong is your compassion for people?
Have you started to give up hope because of all the darkness in the world?
I think this can be common among God’s people because the task can seem overwhelming. I know I drift into the void of darkness from time to time, but I’m thankful I worship with a community that restores my light, through my friendships, the joy of children just beginning their faith journey, the incredible youth, and my wonderful colleagues.
My prayer for all of us is that the Light of Christ doesn’t ever go out and that when it begins to wane, we might remember to follow the starlight that takes us to the birth of Jesus, the King
intertwined with power and love.
May the Nativity always remind us to be Christ’s Light to the world.
I leave you with the refrain from one of my favorite Christmas Carols, ELW 290 Go Tell It on the Mountain, “Go tell it on the mountain, over the hills and ev’rywhere; go tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born!”
As long as WE remain God’s light, God’s light will keep pushing back the darkness. Be the Hope in such a time as this!