I woke up this morning to the sound of rain and somehow found comfort in the fact that I was home.  Part of me hates the dark days of winter, and the constant gray of the Pacific Northwest, but the glittery lights of December, with all the decorations, is a beautiful reminder that the Light of the World is upon us, even in the darkness.

John 8:12 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.”

I met a mother in Ethiopia this last November that told us about the day she found herself pregnant and unmarried.  She would go to the witch doctor for help, but she was miserable and scared.  One day, the father of the baby came to her and said that he had found Jesus and he wanted to marry her.  Her family was against the marriage and against Christianity.  Despite their wishes, she left her family and married this man and gave her life to Christ.  Her family completely rejected her and sent her out with nothing.  “We had nothing, barely any clothing and no food, but God took mercy on us and provided.”

Now she is a mother to many children, still physically poor, but her joy was evident and she gave testimony to the great light that illuminated within her.

Jesus.

She spoke his name; she put her hand on her heart and smiled as she prayed.  Her children beamed with pride for their mom, and somehow in their shanty home, I saw light in the darkness.

As the days get shorter, and darkness of winter sinks in, I will celebrate the light of life and remember that I have been rescued from the darkness as well, just like that woman in Ethiopia.

…And with that light there is happiness.

…And with that light there is joy.

…Peace.

…And beauty.

The Light of the World has come.