31 December 2013 - accept no substitutes

31 December 2013 - accept no substitutes

What came to be through him was life,
and this life was the light of the human race;
the light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness has not overcome it.

In these days when the light of the sun is seldom seen we realize how important to us light is even on a natural level.  When our lives are shrouded in darkness as though we walk through the shadow of the valley of death where do we turn to seek light?  Do we turn to the glitz and glamour of the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life?  Do we turn primarily to vacuous entertainments?  When we feel the weight of darkness, actual, emotional, or spiritual, pressing in on our souls, do we know where the only light which cannot be overcome by darkness can be found? 

The life of Jesus is the only source of that light.  In order to stand in the light of which he is the only source we must accept him.  We must know.  We must believe in his name.  If we do then he gives us the power to become the children of God.  He gives us the power to continue to live as God's children.

He is the eternal word but becomes flesh so that we can see his "glory as of the Father's only-begotten Son, full of grace and truth."  But he does not just come so that we can see it but so that we can receive it as well.   "From his fullness we have all received, grace in place of grace."  We can therefore share in his light, the "true light, which enlightens everyone". 

Let us acknowledge him, even if it means repentance.  Even when we know the truth we often need to be reminded that "every lie is alien to the truth."  There are antichrists in the world which endanger not just nonbelievers.  The endanger everyone who does not allow himself to be reminded constantly of who Jesus is and what that means.  So let us know him, even if it means committing time to spend with him.  Let us believe in his name, since we fail trying to live on our own strength.  Let us believe in his name so that the names of "many antichrists" have no appeal for us.  Let us believe in his name to persevere in the "anointing that comes from the Holy One".

It is still Christmas!  The LORD continues coming to us to remind us who he is.  He comes to us so that we might accept him as completely as Mary does.  He comes to us so that we might know him and be bathed in the light as "glories stream from heaven afar."  Let us rejoice in this light forever!  Accept no substitutes!

The LORD comes,
he comes to rule the earth.
He shall rule the world with justice
and the peoples with his constancy.