Jesus is not afraid of the dark

One of the games my youth group enjoys playing is ?sardines." This game is played in the dark and with flashlights. One person goes and hides and the rest of the group goes seeking the one hiding. When a seeker finds the hider, the seeker joins the hider in the hiding place. The game continues until all people have joined the hider except one. The game is a lot of fun and the darkness adds to the mystery and excitement.

Though the youth love to play ?sardines? in the dark, few of us relish the dark. We are nearing the longest night and we yearn for more daylight. For some, even when the sun is at its brightest the darkness smothers. This is the season for celebrations and merriment; yet families are estranged and dysfunctional. Darkness smothers. This is the season for joy and parties; yet chemo and radiation drain the body of vibrancy. Darkness smothers. This is the season for decorating and baking; yet depression keeps us hostage. Darkness smothers. This is the season for gift giving and children laughing; yet people continue to lie on their deathbeds. Darkness smothers. Darkness does not care what the season is, it can penetrate our lives and smother.

This is the season we are reminded, that in the depths of darkness, our Savior was born. God comes to us when we are most vulnerable; in the dark. There in the birth of our Savior, Jesus, we receive a promise, ?The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.? John 1:9. Jesus is not afraid of the dark. Jesus seeks us and finds us in those dark corners of life and joins us so we are never alone. Though Jesus does not promise to wipe away the darkness from our lives; Jesus clings to us and shines his light of hope upon us. This is the season we are reminded, the darkness in our lives does not control us. No matter how smothering the dark may appear, the light of Jesus penetrates through that darkness. Cradled in the light of Jesus? arms, the darkness becomes bearable.

Join us at Immanuel Lutheran Church (1226 E Washington, Washington) as we celebrate God entering the world to be with us; even in our darkness. Sunday December worship, 9 a.m. Wednesday worship 6 p.m. Christmas Eve candlelight and Holy Communion services are 5:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m., Christmas Day, 9 a.m. Beginning Jan. 8, Sunday worship 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. with Faith Formation (education) 9:15 a.m. All people are welcome and invited to experience God?s norm of love, grace, and light. Merry Christmas!