When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” – John 8:12

I am fascinated with light, especially as a representation of God and what it teaches us about Jesus. We must follow the star or we will lose our way to Christmas in the dark.

The magi from the east followed a light in the sky, traveling many weeks or maybe months until it finally led them to the newborn king. I love the idea that maybe God set them out on their journey possibly before Jesus was even conceived?

Did the star only appear when he was born, or in preparation or anticipation? Was it just a pinprick of light they had to carefully discern or was it a spectacular show? Was it light reflected from a comet passing close to Earth in real time, light they followed before the comet again disappeared into the cosmos? Or was it from countless light-years across the galaxy, a distant star whose light had to travel thousands of years in order to reach those particular people in that particular place at that particular time?

Then there was the angel who delivered the birth announcement to the shepherds on the hillside, he was joined by a whole heavenly host singing glory to God! I can imagine the flood of brilliant light.

Light holds not only illumination but also energy. When we follow Jesus we connect with the central core of light and energy that created and sustains the Universe. “I am the light of the world!” Jesus is also the energy and the power. Jesus not only lights the way, Jesus is the way.

One morning I set out walking just before the sun rose, and as I walked the shadows and the dim shapes around me turned into trees and flowers and grass and paths, eventually taking on colors that became more vibrant as the light made its way over the horizon. I wondered if color even exists absent the light? I wonder what is left when we remove ourselves from the light that Jesus brings, the energy and the power and the life?

“I am the light of the world,” Jesus said. “Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

stained glass design by Naomi Campbell