Nougat 13

There’s a quote that one of my sons used regularly, which I often malign, despite my love for it. The expression goes like this, ’A candle lit at midnight says to the darkness, “I beg to differ!”’ It reminds me of today’s Holy Nougat.

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness doesn’t extinguish the light.” ‭‭John‬ ‭1‬:‭5‬ ‭CEB‬‬

God’s Light in the Darkness

Midnight symbolizes total darkness. The Swedes might not agree with us in the summer, being the land of the Midnight Sun, but nevertheless, it is the accepted metaphor. Not only does this relate to the genuine absence of light but it also refers to evil deeds and wicked intentions. In the spiritual world, it’s also used to represent hopelessness, or difficult seasons in one’s life experience. Somewhat like David’s note to self, ’Even when I walk in the Valley of the Shadow of Death …’ For Darkness seems finite, irrevocable. Just like Death.

Then there’s Light

God’s Light

There’s a school of thought suggesting that early Jewish theologians believed there was Chaos prior to Creation. Thus, God’s first act of calling Light into being, more specifically, controlling the waters (symbolizing chaos), put paid to all that. It may be that the writer of this Gospel was also familiar with the premise, as the introit to Jesus in the first chapter has strong Creation undertones. Continuing this trajectory, the writer declared Jesus as The True Life-giving Light, capable of obliterating Darkness.

Thus, before the Word dwelled within us, chaos ensued in our world. And we could not conquer the Darknesses we faced. Then Jesus became Light of our World.

And in that moment;

Everything changes

Creation begins, a new day dawns, hope comes alive, evil is exposed (even if it’s partial), danger is less fierce, solutions become feasible and viable, visibility increases, fears dissipate, hope blooms, and darkness is repudiated.

And we are reminded that no matter what we face, in our worst situations, Our *True Light WILL Prevail*. Jesus’ light leaves no room for Darkness to take control. He is our Midnight Son. Every day, every season. Forever and Always.

Darkness will try to overshadow, but the Light of God insists’I beg to differ!’

Will we allow God’s Light to overcome the Darkness?

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May all we seek be found in Christ