The contemplation of the stars was the noblest of all sciences for the ancients. The result of their study of the night sky was to see clusters of stars as images, and then tell a story about that animal or person as the constellation moved across the night sky. For us, the contemplation of the Bible is a noble task. Contemplating the people and stories that have come down to us from our spiritual ancestors is gratifying as they chart the work of God across the ages.

This Advent at Saint Luke, we the gazers of 2022, contemplate the names used in the Bible for Jesus. We will gaze upon the texts and share our insights about what we see. Just as with constellations, as we share our reflections, questions, and thoughts with one another, our light shines brighter and we see things that we never would have discovered on our own. Join us as we cast our Advent journey to Christmas in a new and rewarding light.

Today’s reflection is from Susan C. Saxer:

The Light

“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
“As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” - John 9:5

There is a wonderful song by Dianne Reeves entitled Grandma’s Song (also known as Better Days) in which a young girl, maybe 3 or 4 years old under her nightly bed covers, asks her Grandma several of life’s important questions:

“How can I be sure what is right or wrong ?

And why does what I want always take so long?

Please tell me where does God live

And why won't He talk to me

I'd say, Grandma what is love ?

Will I ever find out?

Why are we so poor, what is life about?

I want to know the answers before I fall off to sleep.”

The song continues with Grandma pulling up her Rocking Chair and saying:

“All the things you ask

You will know someday.

But you have got to live in a patient way.

God put us here by fate

And by fate that means better days.

She said, child we are all moons in the dark of night.

Ain't no morning gonna come 'til the time is right.

Can't get to better days lest you make it through the night.

You gotta make it through the night, yes you do.

You can't get to no better days

Unless you make it through the night.

Oh, you will see those better days

But you gotta be patient.

(Be patient) oh baby, be patient.

Whenever my life journey takes me or someone else through dark times, I think of this song and John 8:12. God and the Holy Spirit guide us and help us to be patient through dark times. Jesus is the Light that shines on us when we cannot see. Jesus sheds his light on us so we can make it through the dark nights to better days ahead.

Dear God, help me and us to never forget that Jesus is always the light of the world, no matter what. Help me and us to be patient as we remember that through Jesus, we can make it though the night no matter how dark or treacherous and no matter how many times we must journey in the darkness of night. Help me and us to know that through His light we can live and see better days. Thanks be to God. Amen