Light Drives Away Darkness

I was thinking recently about our Christmas Eve service we have every December here at Capitol Hill. It is really one of my favorite services of the year. I think part of it is the fact that we have all lived such a “hurried life” leading up to Christmas, and by Christmas Eve, pretty much everything is done and we can think about the true meaning of Christmas!

The most special time of the service to me is when we close the service with communion, light the candles and lift them up high. It wouldn’t be nearly as effective except for the fact we turn out the lights and only have the candles to illuminate the sanctuary.

Psalm 18:28 says, “For thou dost light my lamp; The Lord my God illumines my darkness.”

When I see those candles lit, not only is the room illuminated, but the darkness is dispelled, or driven away!

This has a double meaning for me. First of all, God will light our way and guide us. But also, God wants His light to shine through all of us, so a dark world can see the light of God’s love in us. Let’s be that light!