Written and Delivered by The Rev. Philip Schaffner

We are children of God, because we walk in the Light. Light and dark. It is the contrast of Light and Dark that marks this time of year. It is a season of contrasts. For some, this time of year is marked by great joy, but for others this is a particularly difficult time of year. The holidays and others joy bring up painful memories for many. I am told the mental health wards at all the hospitals are full. The days have grown short.

It is at this dark point that we celebrate the good news that God has become human and dwelt among us. The living presence of God is light. We are children of God, because we walk in the light.

"The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it" (John 1:5 NRSV). The scholar and poet Eugene Peterson translates the prologue of John this way: "What came into existence was Life, and the Life was Light to live by. The Life-Light blazed out of the darkness; the darkness couldn't put it out" (The Message).

Jesus often used the imagery of light and darkness to describe the gospel and the Kingdom of God. The light of the Gospel comes to us not when we are ready to hear it or when our lives are in order. No, the Light of God burns right into the dark corners of our lives and our world.

The great novelist and poet Madeline L'Engle once wrote:

God did not wait till the world was ready, till nations were at peace.

God came when the Heavens were unsteady and prisoners cried out for release

God did not wait for the perfect time.

God came when the need was deep and great. God dined with sinners in all their grime, turned water into wine.

God did not wait till hearts were pure.

In joy, God came to a tarnished world of sin and doubt. To a world like ours, of anguished shame, God came and God's Light would not go out.

God came to a world, which did not mesh; to heal its tangles, shield its scorn.

In the mystery of the Word made Flesh, the maker of the stars was born.

We are children of God, because we walk in the light.

The light of the God is more powerful than any dark force in this world. It cannot be overcome. However, the reverse could also be said to be true: the light did not destroy the darkness. The light continues to shine, but it shines into a darkness that endures.

There is persistent and strong darkness in our world. Deep divisions continue in our community. Domestic violence and abuse continue to be the most common violent crime in the Twin Cities. Wars and famines continue to ravage many countries. Indeed, our lives are often marked by fear. Fear of crime, fear of terrorism, fear of immigrants, fear of losing our jobs or of losing a loved one un-expectantly. And perhaps, fear of ourselves. Fear of what we might be capable of.

We are children of God, because we walk in the light. However, there is something comforting about darkness. We are comfortable in the shadows. To walk in the light is to be exposed. Light penetrates and burns. What are those deep hidden places in our lives that we shield from the world? An encounter with the divine is dangerous, because the light of Christ exposes our faults, our mistakes, our fears, our brokenness. It is a terrifying thing to be so exposed. In fact, none of us could see the full glory of God and survive we are told. The light is so strong.

The good news though is that God has forgiven us. God loves us. No matter what lies in the darkness of your heart, God desires to heal and clean it. In Paul's letter to the Galatians, he sets up a dichotomy between the Law and Faith. If we use the law as our only judgment, then we will all fall short because in one way or another we have all dwelt in darkness. However, when we open our hearts and minds wide enough to understand the love of God we can accept an invitation. Jesus has given us an invitation to accept God's love and to follow him in the Way.

This Way is not a set of prescriptions or laws like the 10 commandments, but rather a method or model for living. We are invited to walk in the Light, which means we are invited to be a people of love, generosity, hospitality, forgiveness and justice. It doesn't mean that we will become rich or famous. It doesn't mean that we will always be comfortable or safe. It doesn't mean that tragedy will avoid us or that we will remain healthy and live long lives. Indeed, it may require great sacrifice, struggle and danger, it may require stepping into the unknown and risking everything. It will require giving up our need to be liked by everyone. It will require giving up our belief that we do not deserve love. It will require giving up our identity as victims.

The reward is a joy deeper than any superficial notion of happiness or satisfaction. Walking in the Light of God, following the Way leads us to our true selves...we become fully who we were intended to be…heirs of the Kingdom of God--Co-creators of a world marked by love, peace and justice.

We are children of God, because we walk in the light. Light is power. It is energy. To be a child of God is to be a powerful person. If we truly open our selves to the light of God, we become capable of doing great things. We become capable of healing relationships, of restoring peace, of bringing hope to the sick and liberation to the incarcerated. We become capable of speaking truth, of crossing boundaries, of loving a stranger and of establishing justice.

To follow the Way of Christ, is to do these things. The season may be one of darkness, but we have light so bright that it cannot be quenched by war, catastrophe, greed, deceit, abuse, neglect, illness or fear. Are you willing to risk being burned by the light? Are you willing to open yourself up to experience the power of God's light? Are you willing to be transformed, transfigured by the light?

I will close with the words of Marianne Williamson that may be familiar to some of you:

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.

Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.

It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.

We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?

Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God.

Your playing small does not serve the world.

There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do.

We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.

It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone.

And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."
(A Return to Love)

We are children of God, because we walk in the light.

Amen.