In just a few days, those of us in the northern hemisphere will experience the shortest day and longest night of the year. It is called the “winter solstice,” which  occurs when either of Earth’s poles reach its maximum tilt away from the sun. It is the point at which the path of the sun travels the shortest path through the sky, resulting in the day of the year with the least sunlight and therefore the longest period of darkness. And, the further north you are, the shorter the day will be. Here in Northwest Montana, we will lose sunlight close to 4:30 p.m. In contrast, during the summer, we have light to be outside until around 10 p.m. and have actually played tennis until 10:30 p.m. close to the summer solstice toward the end of June.  

     Light is essential for life to exist and since it also affects our mental well-being, some folks really struggle during this time of year. Added to that, we have been experiencing a long period of foggy and cloudy weather so have rarely been seeing any actual sunshine lately. It takes its toll on the mental state of all of us, but especially on those who suffer from what has been called “Seasonal Affective Disorder” (SAD). At this time of year, those who work inside go to work in the dark and come home in the dark without seeing any sunshine at all. SAD is a type of depression thought to be caused by a chemical change in the brain which results from a lack of sunlight. LIght therapy and/or anti-depressants are often prescribed. to help the depression. 

     God, who “is light and in whom is no darkness at all” (I Jn. 1:5), created us to be drawn to light, not only physically, but spiritually.  Just as we can see plants and trees stretching toward the sun and its beams of light, so our hearts are drawn to the beams of light coming from the SON, who radiates light from the Godhead.  The author of the book of Hebrews, in his emphasis on the superiority of the person of Christ over the angels, Moses and the prophets, writes: “God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things through whom also He made the world. And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature…” (Heb. 1:1-3).  The word “radiance” means outshining, not just a reflection. In other words, it is flowing out of the very source of light, God Himself.  

     Just as light from the sun is essential  for the physical life of plants and animals, so the light from the Son is essential for spiritual life.  In his gospel, John writes concerning the “Word” (Jesus), “In Him was life and the life was the light of men, and the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend (or overpower) it.” He was “the true light which, coming into the world lightens every man” (Jn. 1:4,5,9). Later, John quotes Jesus saying, “I am the light of the world; he who follows Me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of life” (Jn. 8:12). Our Lord here draws an analogy between the sun as the physical light of the world and Himself as the spiritual light of the world.

     Though God created us to be drawn to and respond to the light (both physically and spiritually), there are many who prefer spiritual darkness. Jesus said, “And this is the judgment that the light is come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light; for their deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the light, and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed” (Jn. 3:19,20). If we experience depression because of the lack of sunlight (“Seasonal Affective Disorder”–SAD), imagine how SAD it is for those who are not experiencing the light of life from the SON!  “There is a God-shaped vacuum in the heart of every man which cannot be filled by any created thing, but only by God, the Creator, made known through Jesus” (Blaise Pascal). 

     Not only did God give us the living “Word,” Jesus, “the Light of the World” to provide us with eternal life (Jn. 3:16), but He also provided us with the written Word to help us “walk in the light.” The Psalmist wrote: “Thy word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path…The unfolding of Thy words give light; it gives understanding to the simple” (Psa. 119:105; 130).  So, if you are depressed (sad) because of the lack of “Son-light,” ask Jesus Christ, who is the “radiance of God’s glory” to come into your life and then get into God’s Word for some daily “Son-shine”!  Don’t let the “god of this world” blind you any longer to “the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For God, who said, ‘Light shall shine out of darkness,’ is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ” (II Cor. 4:5,6). And, “You who were formerly darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light…and do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them” (Eph. 5:8,11). “Walk in the light as He is in the light” (I Jn. 1:7). 

Merry Christmas!

Forever His,

Pastor Dave