Candles in the Dark

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never overcome it.”

John 1:5

We bought a massive pine-scented Christmas candle a few weeks back (was it a Costco impulse buy? Yes!) and it burns bright in our kitchen, this three-wicked wondrous light. And it’s glowing one night when I realize this seemingly obvious fact - Jesus made his claims about being the “Light of the world” in the context of candlelight.

Light is no luxury for us now, but to those who walked the earth when Jesus did, fire was the framework for light and for life itself - it was a matter of sustenance and survival. The days were ruled by the shifting of shadows, the hours of light remaining before sundown.

And in the midst of this dark world dependent on these little flickers of light, Jesus declared Himself to be the Light of the whole world - penetrating darkness and bringing people along with him into the light. “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12).

He made this claim right after the Festival of the Tabernacles, when the Jewish people would’ve remembered their people’s time in the wilderness - when God presented Himself as this huge pillar of fire, guiding them and lighting up their nights. And during this celebration, huge candles were lit, illuminating the entirety of Jerusalem, bringing them light that they knew only at that time of the year. This image would’ve been burning bright in the minds of the people when Jesus claimed to be the Light of the world - they wouldn’t have missed this connection. This was revolutionary in a world full of darkness - Jesus brought Light as only God could.

And although we may not know the depths of physical darkness that surrounded the people of Jesus’ time, we are well acquainted with spiritual darkness - the world can feel like a dim place to dwell these days. There is darkness surrounding us in the form of violence, disunity, depression, failing governments, flailing people, and unfortunately, the list could go on. The darkness can feel suffocating, as though it could snuff out any light that is left, swallowing it whole. But God has placed us here for this very purpose: to be carriers of True Light, illuminating every room we enter with the Light of Jesus.

Jesus likens us to candles, too - to these lamps burning on a table, not hidden but exposed for all to see: “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:14-16). Our little lights are a sign pointing others to the Son, the true Source of the Light, so that others may see His radiance and glory. So that they can have hope - maybe they don’t need to keep dwelling in darkness, either.

This light that we exude is not obnoxious or off-putting - it’s not like a strobe light. It’s the gentle, beautiful, attractive light of a candle. It’s magnetic, welcoming people into this other-worldly reality: darkness does not have the final say. There is a better way, and a Light that never fades. In our Light-living, we pull back the curtain on the Light of Christ and draw others to Him, like a lighthouse beacon drawing others to shore. We don’t downplay the light - we display it.

Each of our lives is a witness: the Light of the World dwells with us and within us. We can shine His light in a million little ways - conversation, comfort, holiness, graciousness, Truth, hospitality, humility, service, intentionality, friendship, creativity, generosity, sacrifice, meal trains, presence and prayer - tangible and intangible ways to offer light to a dark and hurting world.

And what’s even more beautiful? Our lights shine brighter when they’re joined together. The world will see the Light of Christ as they see us, the Church, walk in His Light together. Light-living is not to be done alone.

Can you imagine us shining, these candles burning bright to light up this dark land? How the devil cowers and covers his eyes when darkness dissipates in the face of the Light of Jesus, His light shining through us: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never overcome it.”

The last warm night in November, my daughter Josie begged me to hang her flashlight in a tree in our yard. Why? She wanted to dance in a spotlight. And as she danced on our driveway, so free and full of life, light shimmering around her and breaking into the dark night, it dawned on me: this is what we are called to do - dance in the face of darkness, letting light shine through us, radiating from within us. We dance and move and walk with Jesus, living fully free and alive in His Light. We dance the dark away.