Scientifically speaking, there is no such thing as darkness. You can’t put darkness under a microscope. You can’t detect it with a Geiger counter. You can’t measure it in a beaker. Light, on the other hand, can be quantified, measured, and calculated. Light is made up of units called photons, which exhibit both particle-like and wave-like properties. They are utterly unique, and travel at an astonishing 186,000 miles per second. If you took a ride on a light particle, you could circumnavigate the equator 7½ times in one second.

In these opening verses of his Gospel, John tells us that “the light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it” (v. 5). This might seem hard to believe. “Really, God? The darkness has not overcome the light? Then why does it sometimes seem so hopeless?” Spiritual darkness is everywhere. There’s darkness in the world and darkness in our own flesh. We are continually tempted to distrust God and chase after every evil. Satan, the ruler of the forces of darkness (see Eph 2:2), never ceases to accuse and condemn us.

But in the midst of this darkness, God sends the light. Jesus rushes headlong into our darkness faster than the speed of light, the photons of his righteousness scattering the black hole of our sin. However dark things may appear, the light of Advent reveals that we will one day awaken from the nightmare. This side of heaven we may only get fragmentary glimpses of it, but God promises that one day soon every vestige of darkness will be eradicated forever. Thanks be to God, the light remains undefeated!

Reflection Questions

1. When in your life have you experienced darkness? What was it like?

2. What are some sources of spiritual darkness in our world today? Sources of spiritual light?

3. Read Isaiah 9:1-7. To whom do these verses refer? What are the results of “the light” coming? How does this encourage you?