John 1:6-8, 19-28

In this week's Gospel reading, John the Baptist is a witness, offering testimony on who he is not, but more importantly, who Jesus IS. He proclaims for the first time that Jesus is the Light, the Messiah for which people had been long awaited in darkness.

We no longer need witnesses like this, right? 

Christmas, the celebration of Jesus' birth, the time we remember when the Light was revealed to us in human form, is one of the biggest world-wide events and marked by billions of people. Probably no one in our community says, "Who is Jesus?"

But while people may know about Jesus, they may not see his Light - similar to a child closing his eyes while saying, "I can't see you!" They know that the Light is there, but either consciously or unconsciously, they have shut their eyes to the Light.

Ironically, the closer we get to Christmas, the harder and harder it is to see the Light sometimes. The hustle and bustle and consumerism act as blinders. And the age-old screens of hunger, poverty and oppression are also there, making the world a very dark place for those around us.

It's up to us as Christians to help point to the Light. Through our words and actions, we are to tap our brothers and sisters on the shoulder and say, "Look! There's the Light!"

As we gather at St. Timothy's this Sunday, may we ask the Holy Spirit to help us show the Light to others while also keeping our eyes fixed on the one true Light.