Throughout the Advent season, we light candles.  Candles are used to celebrate Christ because, as Jack read from John 1, He is the True light the gives light to all men.  Tomorrow morning we celebrate the arrival of True Light.

John’s Gospel gives us a slightly different take on Christmas.  Luke 2, which our kids reenacted last Sunday, gives us the traditional Christmas scene:  manger, stable, shepherds and all.  John’s gospel dispenses with the historic details in favor of explaining Christ’s birth by it place in human history.  Certainly the other gospels do likewise, but John (as inspired by the Spirit) gives us this rich picture of a light stepping into darkness.  This Christmas Eve, let’s try to understand Christmas as John presents it.  And to do so, let’s go back to Eden. Continue reading →