Darkness and the Light of Christ

(Luke 13:10-17)(December 21, 2003)

One of my favorite times to be in church is in the evening. There’s something about the way the church is lit when only candles and oil lamps are lit. There’s a soft glow, and a warmth; and somehow it just seems to encourage us to come to God in prayer. Of course, when the lights are on, or when the sun is shining brightly, that’s a good time to be in church, too. At those times, you have to work pretty hard to miss the majesty and the grandeur of the glory of God. It’s right to worship and rejoice in the light. But still, there’s that special time of praying by lamplight…

Darkness seems so powerful. Most of us, at one time in our lives, were afraid of the dark. And even now, in the darkness, bad things seem to get even worse. And yet, for all its appearance of power, the light from one little candle has the power to drive away the darkness. It may not be much light at all, really - but even the smallest candle in the midst of the darkness brings us good cheer. And, where we may have feared to have to walk about in the darkness, with that small amount of light, we have a much better chance of finding our way.

Today is December 21st. It’s an interesting day. It’s the day in the year when the daylight is shortest, and the night is the longest. Over the last three months, the days have been getting shorter; the nights, longer. Now, logically, we know that this process will reverse after today; but still, there is the symbolism, even the threat, that the power of darkness might yet overcome the light. I guess that’s why I’ve always been fascinated with this day - the day when darkness, symbolically, is at its height.

Among other things, Satan, we are told, is the Prince of Darkness. So, maybe there’s some reason to be wary of the dark, after all. And if we consider today, this day when the darkness is at its greatest in the cycle of the year, and then look at the world around us, and the culture in which we live, it’s not hard to draw a parallel conclusion - the darkness around us, a spiritual darkness, is growing stronger. Behaviors which, a generation ago, were not spoken of, are seen today in movies and on television and even on the streets. There are things described in some forms of popular music that are truly shocking - except that we have become so hardened and calloused that we scarcely take notice, or even find enjoyable. Would anyone disagree that there is a general increase in lawlessness taking place around us? Here’s but one example. Who can safely drive the speed limit on the roads and highways anymore - except, of course, when there’s a police car nearby. Then, we’re all law-abiding. But as soon as it is out of sight, zoom! We are all participants in one way or another with bending, or breaking, the law; and every time we do so, the darkness around us grows a bit stronger.

The fathers tell us that we are born in darkness, and dwell in the shadow of death. But when we are baptized and chrismated, something happens. Our Lord Jesus Christ, Whose life is the light of men, gives us new life in Him. His Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness cannot comprehend it. In a way, each of us becomes a candle; not much, by itself, and yet, as the small candle drives away the physical darkness, so, too, does the Light of Christ in us drive away the power of spiritual darkness. This happens first of all for ourselves; and we can see the way in which we should walk, where before we were blinded by the darkness. Then, as we grow brighter, we can become a light for others, showing them the way as well. Gathered together, as we are here, we can shine forth brightly in the world - or not. When we sin, we are, once more, walking in the darkness, hiding the light of Christ in us. But when we repent, and confess our sins, and turn once more to walking in the ways that are pleasing to God, the light shines forth once again. Our Lord Jesus said, “I am the light of the world; he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”

How do we shine ever brighter? How can we reveal more of the light of Christ? By living an increasingly Orthodox life. By prayer, and fasting, and alms-giving, and struggling to overcome our passions, and to put in their place their opposing virtues. As we draw nearer to God in prayer, we come closer to the uncreated Light of His glory; and, as we have said, the darkness cannot endure where the light is present. As we fast, we grow in the strength we need to fast from our passions, and so turn from our sins. As we give alms, we set ourselves free from those things, material and spiritual, that would hold us in the world with its darkness. As we pursue virtue, we take care to preserve the light of Christ, and not to hide it, or, God forbid, extinguish it by returning to a life of sin.

Brothers and sisters! We have been given the Light of the life of Christ. Let us this day, the day of darkness’ seeming triumph, dedicate ourselves once more to be bearers of the light, not only for ourselves, but that we may become beacons shining forth in the darkness, to reach those who still dwell in darkness, and the shadow of death. May our Lord makes us to be candles in His service, to drive away the darkness in our lives, and in this city - that by our being bearers of the Light, their souls may be saved; and ours with them.