I. Introduction

I truly believe that it is essential for us to listen to one another's viewpoints on various topics so that we can truly understand each other. Someone else's version of the truth might be different from our own understanding of the truth. When we truly listen without resisting the other's perspective, that's when real understanding happens, like a light bulb going off - that moment of insight, revealing how we did not understand each other's beliefs or truths all along. On the other hand, if we do not take the time to listen to each other, it may lead to misunderstandings and erode trust eventually causing divisions that hinder genuine communication. Such circumstances result in confusion, turmoil, and uncertainty, and feelings of darkness, making it difficult to connect, resolve issues, and be reconciled with one another.

II. The True Light Came into the World

God knew all about chaos, confusion and darkness. In this Chapter 1, John the Baptist describes how God spoke a word into the darkness at the beginning of time. Things were rough and unorganized and uninhabited, and through God's word there was life and light, and the light shone into the darkness. But even then, those who started wandering around did not comprehend this light coming from the Maker of heaven and earth. Over time in many Old Testament stories, divine light was met with internal resistance, resulting in darkness overtaking life. While the darkness continued its path of chaos and destruction, God's word continued to shine the light of God's loving intention with God's creation, God's people.

John now introduces the same Word of God which, through the act of Incarnation, resulted in God's Son to becoming flesh and dwelling among humanity. Jesus was God's fullest disclosure to humanity, God's act of salvation and love for the world. But the world then did not recognize this divine act and the divine light Jesus was shining. Edward Klink describes it as follows, "The light of the world is met with direct and robust confrontation by the darkness." John the Baptist is the one who would bear witness to this True Light coming from God, the One who would give light to every person…the light of love and care and compassion and understanding and kindness. God's intent was to heal the world by sending the Son to shine the light that would eliminate the darkness of evil, of hate, of suffering, and unwillingness to understand each other. Those who brought Him to be crucified, would not have any of this True Light. And those who crucified Him, were already caught up in the evil of darkness.

III. Conclusion

Today, the world at large is struggling to recognize the True Light of Christ, a light that is loving, authentic and genuine. The Son of God taught us the values that make for a loving and caring world. However, it appears that we are living in a world facing widespread turmoil and uncertainty. We are striving, not without challenges, to shine the light in our homes and communities and our churches, but the moment we look beyond the safety of our dwellings, the darkness, unkindness, hate and division, violence and war stare us in the face. This is not what God intended for this world. God's word spoke into the darkness at the beginning of time, and God's Word became flesh in a dramatic way in the birth of God's Son, to show us the light. John the Baptist reminds us that he bore witness to that light, and he could not stop talking about it to the people then. May God make us all into witnesses of that same light today and may God's Holy Spirit touch this world in powerful ways that will drive out all intentions of darkness and bring us light and love and peace. Amen.