In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
John 1:4–5, ESV
Even though I grew up with it, it still surprises me as December winds down to the shortest day of the year how dark it truly gets. Sometimes, the night comes so quickly and early, and the sky in the rural north becomes so dark. It is a reminder of the importance of the light of our Lord. We can look out into the world and see as the darkness seems to grow, but darkness is an illusion. Darkness cannot overcome light but can only thrive where light is absent. The lengthening night isn’t because the darkness is growing but the light is recessing. The same is true in our world. Darkness only grows because the light is not shining in. When no light shines out, it becomes difficult to see any good. Without the presence of followers of Jesus Christ visibly present in the world, the darkness becomes overwhelming. The thing about darkness is that as light approaches, it quickly shrinks away because darkness cannot withstand the light. Let us be light!
Let us pray. I thank you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, your dear Son, that you have kept me this night from all harm and danger, and I ask you to protect me this day also from sin and every evil, that in all I do today, I may please you. For into your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all that is mine. Let your holy angel watch over me, that the wicked foe have no power over me. Amen.