Light and Dark Interplay
Displayed at Christmas Time
What do you put up for Christmas decorations and lights? Inside on a Christmas tree? Outside bordering your house or bushes? In stores you’ll see plenty of lighting. Stroll around your neighborhood to delight in the decorations and lighting. Pause and reflect on manger scenes with their subdued lighting. We even experience the light as strangers make more eye contact and say Merry Christmas. Families gather to eat meals, play games, and open gifts – all in fully lighted settings.
But we also experience the darkness. Longer nights. Depression induced by stress and junk food. Heightened family tensions. Wondering who to give gifts to and what they will think of mine. Some dare to search and discover a darkness in their souls. And many are separated from God … a distinct darkness.
Reflected in Redemptive History
This interplay of light and dark is reflected in Scripture. At creation both light and darkness were present and they were both very good in harmonious beauty (Genesis 1:3-5,31). After turning away from God, darkness pervaded the creation and all humanity. Conflict and pain and death became associated with darkness.
In John 1:9 Jesus is described as the true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. But the darkness is right there: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:5). The darkness is evil in the world, sin in our hearts, and the curse on creation. The baby in a manger comes to dispel all this darkness.
Eventually we will see him come again, with the light of God’s glory, to make the triumph final. Then the beautiful balance of interplay of light and darkness will be restored in glorious splendor (Revelation 21:23-24).
Engaged among Spiritual Forces
An epic battle took place around Jesus’ mission to the earth. Satan and his demons had previously been given free rein to deceive the nations and even enter heaven itself to badmouth God’s people (Job 1-2) (Revelation 12:10, 20:10). He tried to destroy Jesus before he could accomplish his mission (Matthew 2:16) (Revelation 12:1-4). When Jesus completed his mission on earth, there was a battle between the good angels and the bad angels (demons) in heaven. Satan and his followers were ejected from heaven, never to return (Revelation 12:7-9).
At our Christmas Eve service on December 24 (4:00 p.m.) we will celebrate the light overcoming the darkness. Particularly we will see the grand entrance of Jesus to earth in his role as captain of the angelic armies (Luke 2:13-14). Jesus is coming to do battle. The dazzling military angels are following their captain to battle the forces of darkness.
Sadly this battle continues for us today. We still struggle with the darkness: demonic forces, evil people, our own sin, the curse on creation. Satan now directs his anger against God’s people (Revelation 12:17) (1 Peter 5:8). We are called to be ready for the assaults of this dark lord (Ephesians 6:11-12,16).
But we are told that even now, in the middle of our battle, we have the victory. Nothing is able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:37-39). Including hardships, death, angels, and demons.
On the final day of human history, Jesus will return in glorious splendor with his angels (Luke 9:26) (2 Thessalonians 1:6-7). These angels will be involved in clearing out all that is dark and evil (Matthew 13:37-43,49-50) (Matthew 25:31,41).
May you enjoy the lights of Christmas. And please bathe in the light of Jesus Christ and let his glory fill you. A paraphrase of 2 Corinthians 4:6: May God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” make his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ. May you bathe in his warm, beautiful, and strong light … now, and into eternity.
John Gorter
Interim Pastor
