6There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. 8He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light.


“John Ruskin lived in the days when English villages were lighted by lamps along the street. One evening, he watched with a friend as a lamplighter moved slowly on a distant hill, lighting the lamps along the street. Ruskin said, ‘There is what I mean by being a real Christian. You can trace his course by the lights that he leaves burning.’

It is our job to keep the lights burning.


I have used the above illustration for a funeral or two because, as Christians, we are children of the light and we are to leave the light of Christ wherever we go.

John begins his gospel by telling us who John the Baptist is not – not the light, not Elijah, not the Messiah. Rather he testifies to the light, the Messiah, the One who is to come into the world. As we continue our Advent waiting, we are to be witnesses to the light of Christ and reflect God’s love into the dark places in this world. In what has been a very hard year, I have witnessed the light being shared, and it is that light that keeps me going. And I know from your words and actions that you too have been lighting your lamps and sharing God’s love.

Peace and blessings this day.
Pastor V.