“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.” John 1:1-5 

“So this moth goes into a podiatrist’s office. The doctor asks the moth, “What seems to be the problem?” The moth says, “Doc, I don’t know where to start. I feel like my whole life has been a waste of time. I’ve been at the same job for twenty years and I just hate it. I can barely summon the strength to drag myself in every day but I have no choice because I am drawn to it like a moth to, well, you know. The idea of doing this job for another year is hard to accept. I’ve grown apart from my wife. Doc, it just eats me up inside. I feel like my entire life is nothing more than a fragile light bulb hanging from an electrical cord.” The podiatrist says to the moth, “You do seem to have a lot of problems, but I’m just a podiatrist. You need to see a therapist, a psychiatrist even. Why did you come to me?” And the moth says, “The light was on.” (Richard Bonine Jr.)  

We just celebrated the Feast of the Incarnation – the Birth of the Christ Child – the baby born in a manger – and it has gone by too fast, has disappeared too soon, and cost me too much. It just seems like yesterday that we opened the packages, ate the turkey, and in many cases, stayed at home alone. And before we know it, we will soon take down the decorations, and get back to the business of fighting an invisible killer, Covid 19. I wish Christmas and New Years could have been more of a distraction, but it seems we are back into the same routine. Soon we will welcome the Magi – Epiphany is January 6. And, ready or not, in just three months, Jesus will be arrested, tried, and crucified on a cross. In my mind, it all happens too fast, too soon, and is too much. But that is the way it goes in the church year – but it is also how it happens in our lives. It all goes by too fast, is behind us too soon – light a flash of lightening. 

If you haven’t noticed, the Gospel of John is a different animal from the other Gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke), the ones we call the Synoptics. Unlike Matthew and Luke, for example, who give us the birth narratives, like good storytellers should, the Gospel of John begins with theology. And that confuses us. We can understand stories with angelic visitations, shepherds, and a baby born in a manger with cows and sheep watching on.  But John gives us, among other words, these gems:

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people.  The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.  The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.  He was in the world…yet the world did not know him.  But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God.”

For most people, Christmas is like a flash of lightening, over in the blink of an eye. These celebrations should be more than a “flash-in-a-pan” moment – they should be the perpetual light that shines, even in the darkest of times. Even if the light of Christ feels as remote as a light across a vast ocean, or as fleeting as a camera flash, it still shines, on Christmas day — AND when we gather in His name, AND when we share that light in the breaking of the bread, AND when we share that light in helping others.

As we begin 2021 it is evident that we need more light in our lives — light that comes through the vaccination for Covid 19 which will bring relief and healing for so many throughout our country, and light that enlightens the darkness of the world. We need to bear the light of Christ to all people we encounter every day. As people of faith, we are called to bear that light no matter what darkness overtakes us. That is not just a challenge, it is a calling. As a follower of Jesus, I truly believe in the “Moth” principle: that as we bear the light of Christ, people will be drawn to that light – the light that is the light of Christ. 

Pastor Dave 

“Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. ² He fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished. ³ The tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” ⁴ But he answered, “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” ⁵ Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, ⁶ saying to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written, ‘He will command his angels concerning you,’ and ‘On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’” ⁷ Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” ⁸ Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor; ⁹ and he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” ¹⁰ Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! for it is written, ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.’” ¹¹ Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him.” Matthew 4:1-11

Here is a joke for the new year. “After having dug to a depth of 10 meters last year, Scottish scientists found traces of copper wire dating back 100 years and came to the conclusion that their ancestors already had a telephone network more than 100 years ago. Not to be outdone by the Scots, in the weeks that followed, English scientists dug to a depth of 20 meters, and shortly after, headlines in the English newspapers read: “English archaeologists have found traces of 200-year-old copper wire and have concluded that their ancestors already had an advanced high-tech communications network a hundred years earlier than the Scots.” One week later, “The Kerrymen,” a southwest Irish newsletter, reported the following: “After digging as deep as 30 meters in peat bog near Tralee, Paddy O’Droll, a self-taught archaeologist, reported that he found absolutely nothing. Paddy has therefore concluded that 300 years ago, Ireland had already gone wireless.” (Richard Bonine Jr.) 

The year of our Lord 2021 will undoubtedly bring with it new challenges and new opportunities as well as dragging along all of the problems from 2020. Among the lingering challenges will be the ongoing battle against Covid 19 – fighting this disease will not cease just because we are now in 2021. And among the opportunities will be the new chances to hear the voice of G-d in our lives. People all around us are trying to begin new routines and end bad habits. Gym memberships either have been or will be purchased for Christmas along with new exercise machines, new workout clothing, and new running shoes. But how many people will look for ways to simplify their lives and try to hear the voice of G-d?  

Jesus told the devil: “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Listening to G-d, listening to the voice of G-d calling us through the cacophony of living in 21^st century America is a real challenge. This year, if you have determined to exercise your body, I encourage you to exercise your ears and your mind. Take time each day to listen for the voice of G-d and discern what G-d is saying to you. Take time each day to quiet your mind and listen for the still, small voice of G-d. Jesus – he does the body and the mind good.  

Pastor Dave