In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. John 1.1-5

If you take a driving trip through the southeastern part of the country, you will soon see painted barns enticing you to "Visit Ruby Falls." Billboards also proclaim the message, and soon you find yourself asking, "Why don't I go and visit Ruby Falls?" So it was on a family vacation many years ago, so the family went to the Falls and took the tour. It's actually a cavern system that had been explored and opened up to tourism many decades ago.

During the tour, a guide takes the group underground along a paved smooth pathway out of the light and into the darkness. All along the path, there are mine lights throughout, not too bright, but emitting enough light to see the path. The guide tells us all about the people that explored the cavern for the first time. Candles and torches only go so far, and the original explorers had no lanterns, so that by the time they first reached the falls they were in total darkness. So by that time, we rounded a corner and beheld the falls. Entirely underground, they were stunning.

And then they turned off the lights. For sixty seconds we stood there in complete darkness, seeing nothing, and hearing only the power of the falls. The guide's voice came back as the lights were brought up slowly, explaining that that was how the first explorers had experienced the falls, only bringing light in with them later. It was a powerful lesson in our dependence upon light.

Just as a farmer relies on the sun to provide light to grow his crops, so too is the world dependent on spiritual light from the Son - Jesus Christ. Light offers hope, hope in the form of the peace that only a God who is sovereign over all can provide. Jesus tells his disciples in Matthew 5:14-16 that we are the light of the world, and that we are to live out our lives in such a way as to show the goodness and love of Jesus through our own acts.

This is really what Advent is all about. Sharing ourselves with those around us, being a people dedicated to share the message of love and peace in a sin darkened world. As a challenge, try to find a busy place, and then find a spot against a wall, or perhaps a bench. Pause for a minute with your eyes closed. Listen with all your might at the rush of humanity all around you. Like Ruby Falls, many of the people around you are constantly falling, in complete and utter spiritual darkness. Then ask the Lord to show you some specific act of love or kindness that you can do for someone close by. Let the light of the love of Jesus shine through you.

Weekly Memory Verse: For nothing will be impossible with God. Luke 1.37