(Due to illness and weather, our service was canceled, and this message was recorded and sent to Blue Ocean Columbus congregants via email.)
Greetings, family and church! I wasn’t planning to join you via a recorded message, but due to people traveling, me not feeling anywhere near 100%, and the wonky Ohio weather, we decided to offer a “lite” service tonight via a recording.
Without a doubt, the last several months have been weighty for all of us. As Scout and I continue to get to know each other, it feels like he’s been with me for at least a year, but we only just made it to five months. Between illness, family issues, elections, political rancor and misinformation, and the foreboding of what a new administration will bring to our individual and collective lives, we’ve been through a lot. As we prepare to enter a new year, we are also living through the season when the days are at their shortest, when the darkness seems to encroach earlier and earlier, and, at least here in Ohio, the weather is often cloudy and gray. Yet, even in the midst of these long nights and gray days, we know the light will return. We look forward to longer days, to the sun rising higher in the sky, and to the renewal that comes with light.
In the Gospel of John, the imagery of light plays a central role, and it is fitting that we turn to these words today as we prepare for a new year, seeking renewal in our hearts, our lives, and our world. John begins his Gospel with these profound and stirring words:
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:1-5)
Light as a Symbol of Renewal
Even though we are often oversaturated by light to the point that in cities artificial hides natural light, the concept of light is something that still resonates deeply within us. Light is essential for life. It allows plants to grow, it gives us the ability to see, and it provides warmth and power. When the sun rises after a long night, the light brings a sense of renewal and possibility. The darkness is replaced by clarity, warmth, and hope.
Following Isaiah 9:2—“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light”—Jesus is described as the true light that comes into the world, a light that cannot be overcome by darkness. Not only does the light of Christ overcome the darkness, some translations of the Bible state that the darkness can’t even comprehend the light. This light is a symbol of hope, of renewal, and of new beginnings.
Just as we yearn for physical light in the darkest days of winter, we also long for spiritual and emotional light in the dark seasons of our lives. This is especially true as we reflect on the past year. Whatever 2024 was for us, as we approach the new year, the promise of renewal through Christ’s light is something we can hold onto. It is a message of profound hope which acknowledges that darkness is a reality in the world. There is suffering, injustice, fear, and pain. We’ve experienced this darkness personally and collectively. But the good news is that darkness does not have the final word. The light of Christ shines, and it continues to shine, even in the midst of the deepest darkness. And most importantly, “the darkness has not overcome it.” This is a promise we carry with us into the new year. No matter what lies ahead, the light of Christ is with us, guiding us, renewing us, and overcoming every shadow.
The Need for Renewal in the New Year
Just as the earth needs light to renew itself after the long winter, so too do we need the light of Christ to renew us as we step into a new year. After months of difficulty or weariness, we can feel drained or depleted, spiritually or emotionally. Renewal is not just a refreshing of our physical energy; it is a deep, spiritual renewal that aligns us again with God’s purpose and God’s presence in our lives.
The new year often comes with resolutions, with a desire to begin anew. We set goals, we aspire to be better, healthier, more disciplined. And while those goals are good, there’s a deeper renewal that Christ offers us. It’s a renewal that touches every part of our being, and it’s not dependent on our own willpower or discipline, but on the transformative power of God’s light in our lives.
In Christ, renewal comes through grace. It is the kind of renewal that transforms how we see ourselves, how we see ourselves in the world, and how we see the world. When we open ourselves to Christ’s light, we find the strength to let go of whatever has weighed us down. In Christ, we are invited into a new way of being—a way of living in the light, where God’s presence continually renews and restores us.
The Word Became Flesh: Light in Our Everyday Lives
John 1:14 says, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” God did not remain distant from our struggles, from our darkness. Instead, God entered into our world, taking on flesh, becoming one of us. Jesus is the embodiment of the light of God in our world, walking among us, experiencing our pain, and shining light into the darkest places of our lives.
This incarnation—God becoming flesh—is at the heart of our hope for renewal. It means that God’s light is not just a distant concept or an abstract idea. It is tangible, present, and available to us in our everyday lives. Jesus, the true light, walks with us, shines in our hearts, and brings renewal to every part of our lives.
As we go into this new year, we are invited to embrace this light in a fresh way. The light of Christ is not something we need to strive to find; it has already come into the world. What we are called to do is open ourselves to it, to allow this light to renew us from the inside out, and to walk in it.
Becoming Bearers of Light
Finally, the light of Christ is not just for us to receive—it is for us to share. Jesus himself tells us in Matthew 5:14, “You are the light of the world.” As we are renewed by the light of Christ, we are called to carry that light into the world, to be bearers of hope, peace, and renewal for others.
This new year presents us with the opportunity to reflect on how we can shine Christ’s light in our communities. Where can we bring light to places of darkness? How can we offer hope and renewal to those who are struggling? It could be through acts of kindness, words of encouragement, or standing up for justice in the face of injustice. The light of Christ is not meant to be hidden—it is meant to shine through us.
Conclusion: A New Year Filled with Light
As we enter this new year, let us hold fast to the truth of John 1: that the light of Christ shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. Let this light be our source of renewal, our hope, and our guide. Just as the days will gradually lengthen and the light will return to the earth, so too will Christ’s light renew and restore us.
I invite you, in this coming year, to seek out the light of Christ in your daily life. Let it illuminate your path, renew your heart, and transform your relationships. And as you receive this light, may you also shine it brightly in the world, bringing hope and renewal to others. Amen.
(Note - Like with most of my messages, the text above might differ a bit from what I said in the recording.)