Advent Journey

Week 4: Love Draws Near

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it”
– John 1:5

In the Spring of 2018, I took a month to walk through part of Ireland. Though I had planned to walk most of the time, I appreciated good Irish hospitality and accepted rides along the way. There were times when I really wanted a ride, but it just didn’t happen. One dark, wet evening when I was left walking, I couldn’t find a suitable place to put up my tent. The farmers’ fields were well-guarded by fences, often with thistles on top. Finally, I came upon an opening in a fence leading down a gravel path. I turned down this path and could see that there was a chapel a few hundred feet further. I was glad to have happened upon a Church with land around it but, in the darkness, I began to realize that I had entered a graveyard.

This was not where I would have chosen to sleep for the night, but my options were slim. I set up my tent among the tombs and, with some trepidation, sought to sleep. I must admit that there was fear; it was eery, thinking of all the dead bodies buried around and under me. I was motivated to pray! I reminded myself that The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? (Psalm 27:1).

In that unlikely place, His peace drew near. I recalled the words the Apostle John wrote in his introduction regarding the Incarnation of God revealed in Jesus Christ: In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it (John 1:4-5). In meditating on these Scriptures, by God’s grace, I was able to push out the darkness of fear and welcome the light and peace of Christ and find my rest in Him.

Rev. Tim Bruneau
Minister
St. Giles Kingsway Presbyterian Church | Toronto, ON

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, when we feel fearful and alone, may we call upon Jesus and find in Him the light of life we so desperately need. May we freshly know your love as children of God; in Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Reflection:

We ought not look for suffering or fearful experiences in life, but as we walk through the dark valleys, may we find the light of Christ shining all around. May we also reflect the Light of Christ to others this Christmas.