FAITH FILES

WE had a birthday party last weekend, with all the usual features – friends, cards, gifts, games, a bouncy castle, and a cake, of course. With candles. Came the moment, the birthday boy solemnly blew out all five candles to a round of applause.

I remembered another party cake where someone had included one of those “magic” candles in the set which, when blown out, reignites itself! That always causes some laughter and lots of extra puffing.

It would make a good illustration in this time of Advent, the month leading up to Christmas. Christians often describe Jesus as “the Light of the World”, recalling Isaiah’s prophecy that because of him “The people who lived in a land of deep darkness have seen a great light.” The candles with which we still decorate our homes and trees at this time of year mirror that light.

They may not seem much, but First World War chaplain “Tubby” Clayton used to say, “All the darkness in the world cannot extinguish the light of one candle.”

In the Bible John’s Gospel famously begins by saying of Jesus Christ (whose birthday is marked by Christmas, of course) “In him was life, and that life was the light of all.

The light shines in the darkness and the darkness could not overcome it.” For believers here is a light that cannot be extinguished. It may feel sometimes as though darkness has got the upper hand as tragedy, violence and sickness dominate our headlines, that evil has conquered good, but Christian writer Nick Fawcett says, “faith reminds us that from the darkness of Calvary dawned the day of resurrection – a light that can never be extinguished. However dark life may seem, God has promised that his light will ultimately break through.”

Whatever you are facing in the coming dark months, may the inextinguishable light of God shine in your life to guide your journeys, warm your heart and bring peace to your soul.

Rev Philip Webb, Baptist Minister