Testify to the Light

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.

He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him.

He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. John 1:6-8

Grace and peace on the eve of the Third Sunday in Advent. It is my prayer that these brief four weeks of Advent have invited you into a journey into the heart of God as we prepare to receive Jesus, the light of the world, into our own hearts.

This Sunday’s gospel reading is from John. For a second week in a row, we hear about the wild man John the Baptist who cried out from the wilderness, wore camel’s hair, ate locusts, and preached repentance. “Make straight the way of the Lord!”

John was developing quite a following. And in this passage, his disciples wondered who he was. Are you the prophet? The Messiah?

His reply was emphatic “No.”  

John you see, wasn’t the light, he was testifying to the light. We share John’s mission – to testify to the light. We are called to live in ways that point to the abiding presence and love of God for all people and creation, to shine Christ’s light to the darkness and bring hope to the downtrodden. We are called to look for the light of Christ, and when we see it, to point that light out to others.  

I invite you this day, and every day, to look for that light, name the light, give thanks, and share that light with those around you.  

Tomorrow we will gather to hear the Christmas story proclamed in the words of children of St. Peter’s. The children will shine the light of Christ for us all. Together, we will sing “Jesus Bids Us Shine.”  Testify to the light!

See you tomorrow.