It would happen every now and then when I was a boy, and we always thought it was great fun. There was a big thunderstorm, or some kind of accident, or some mechanical failure. And suddenly, there would go the lights. What happens to kids when the power goes out? It’s like party time! I realize now that one of the reasons it was not scary to us was that we could always count on one thing happening. In a minute we would see the flickering light of a flashlight bobbing down the hallway as my dad came to check everything out. You have to realize that my dad is one of the great flashlighters of all time. I have never seen him sleep anywhere without one, and I can’t imagine how many times down through the years I saw him come with his light to check out the darkness.

There is an almost magical quality about light penetrating the darkness. Why is it that a candlelight dinner is so romantic? Why is it that luminaries are so compelling at Christmas time? Why is it so beautiful to have homes lit up during the holidays? Why is it so fascinating to sit in a room where the only light is that of a fireplace? Why are moths drawn to a flame? Why do people come running when searchlights circle the air?

I don’t really think I can explain any of these, but I do know God created us that way. In our text for this morning John gives a very different picture of the Christmas story. He does not give details about the birth of Jesus. Rather, he tells the story theologically. It is the story of God and His Word. The two are inseparable. It is kind of like saying that I can not separate myself from how I communicate myself to you and how you experience me. It’s all just me. So it is with God and His Word. They are inseparable. Some people are so surprised to know that Jesus was very active as creator. Yet this passage teaches that In the beginning Jesus was with God, and was in fact God (not a God) and everything in the universe was created by none other than Jesus. Colossians also tells us that He still holds all things together. In fact, He is life. [v.4]
I do want you to notice that life as a Christian is not intended to be dull! This is an action packed passage! God, I believe, wants us to be more alive than we ever dreamed. I don’t want to have to wait for pie in the sky in the sweet by and by. Jesus Christ is life!

Could the world tell that by being around us Christians? I wonder. The life which Christ puts in us is to be like a flashlight running down a dark hallway. It is to be so radical that the world is changed when the light of Christ shines through us.

But the truth is that the world will not always understand it. What God intended to be a beautiful and comforting sign may just hit some people like flipping the lights on when they are asleep. You know what it is like when your pupils are dilated and someone floods the room with light? Don’t you hate that? You don’t want that light on!

[v.5]
To "comprehend" means to discern, to fathom, to grasp, to perceive, to understand. Literally, the Greek word katalambano meant to apprehended, to take possession of. And isn’t that true. There are some who, when you start living the Christian life, will be terribly offended by it. In fact, there are some, who, according to Romans, will always prefer the darkness. And then there are some who have to wake up a while before they can embrace the light. We really don’t know who is who. What do we do? Tell everyone anyway and let God worry about the results. That’s what John the Baptist did, according to verse 7. He was just a faithful witness. That’s a good lesson for us.
And yet, there is hope. Verse 9 tells us that even though the world may not understand it, the light of Christ is here to enlighten us, to give light to us, to light us up. So, then, how do we become ones who comprehend the light? This is the time of New Year’s Resolutions and so I would like to close today with what I consider to be some practical suggestions for comprehending the light of Christ in our lives, suggested by this text.

1. Get into the Word
It is no accident that Christ is called the Word here. The truth is that God is and always has revealed Himself as a communicating God. Most often, it is us who aren’t picking up the receiver. I don’t mean to say that all your problems will solved if you can beat people over the head with Bible verses. I am saying that your life will be much richer if you allow God to speak with you on a consistent basis. Perhaps it underscores the importance of the read your Bible program, a few minutes every day just might change your life.
Be warned though, when the light shines it might uncover things you do not want to see. You’ll be making choices. Either turn off the light, or clean up the mess. I hope you’ll thank God for showing you, and that you will, as 2 Tim. 2:15 says, study to sown yourself approved.

2. Spend time in prayer
Just as God’s written word speaks to us, God also longs to hear from us personally and to simply converse with us. That was the secret of Jesus' power, His time He spent with the Father. I love to come in here when no one else is around and look at that picture on the wall. It just makes you want to drop to your knees. For there is the source of power. You may want to join the adult Sunday School group as they are discussing prayer right now. Make it part of your reading time. It has been my experience that on days when it seems darkest, God’s light shines most brightly if I will talk to Him about whatever it is that's going on. As the old song says, "Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere? Are we weak and heavy laden, Cumbered with a load of care? Precious Savior, still our refuge; take it to the Lord in prayer. Do thy friends despise, forsake thee? In His arms He’ll take and shield thee; Thou wilt find a solace there.

3. Tell someone about the good news. Just as John was a faithful witness to the light, I believe there are those just waiting to see the light through us.

4. Become more alive. Plan to take advantage of opportunities for spiritual growth this year.

I hope that the coming year is the lightest one yet for you and for your family, and that you will resolve to do what it takes to grow in your comprehension of the light of God. You will not be sorry you did. Let us pray.