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Across the Pastor’s Desk by Eileen Woyen

When God created the universe and everything in it, the first thing God said was, “‘Let there be light’ and there was light.” — Genesis 1:3

When we are afraid, worried or hurting, we can look to the Psalms and are told, “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” — Psalm 27:1

The prophet Isaiah said to the Israelites in exile, “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.” — Isaiah 60:1

Isaiah also gave hope for the future when he preached, “The people who have walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness —on them light has shined.” — Isaiah 9:2

These words of Isaiah are then echoed in the gospel of Matthew when Jesus begins his ministry because he is the light of the Lord.

“The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned.” ­— Matthew 4:16

We have entered the darkest part of the year. I’m sure you have noticed how dark it gets and how early. I know I have looked outside recently and thought, “Oh, its dark. It’s almost time to go to bed,” only to realize that it is only 7 o’clock.

We are soon entering the season of Advent, beginning Dec. 1. This is the four Sundays before Christmas in the church year in which we as brothers and sisters in Christ prepare for Christ’s birth.

The months before Jesus’ birth were chaotic to say the least. Roman soldiers occupied the land. Caesar Augustus ordered a census to be done for everyone in his lands. I’m sure people were thrilled to be made to go be counted. Jesus’ mother and earthly father endured the stares and whispers of a “nontraditional” pregnancy and birth. To make things worse, the government was out to destroy this baby — Jesus — with the murder of all little boys under the age of 2. All in all, this was a dark time.

Then there was light. Do you remember the angels? Do you remember the bright, dazzling lights? Do you remember whom the angels came to speak to first?

It was the shepherds. The nobodies. God sent his messengers to announce Jesus’ birth, not to kings and queens, but to ordinary people, nobodies. People much like you and me.

Jesus is the light of the world and that light continues to shine. Christ’s light shines in the midst of our sorrow and worry.

Jesus shines in our families. Jesus’ light is with you and me at work, at school, on the playing field, at our various clubs and even times we are just sitting around the house.

Jesus shines through you to love God and love others as you serve God and serve others.

One of my favorite Advent memories was during Covid. It seems strange. It wasn’t safe for us to gather in one place for worship. However, we didn’t stop worshipping God. Our worship changed. We worshipped together in our homes and online. And I will always remember the beauty of that Christmas Eve. We put candles throughout the sanctuary. The blue of the screens colored the sanctuary with a beautiful hue. There was peace. There was joy. There was comfort.

This Advent, look for the light. Look at Christmas lights. Look at the faces of loved ones and children as their faces light up in joy over the season. Listen to music that lightens your soul. Search for Jesus to be born anew in your life. Share the light of Christ with those around you like a candle dispersing its light into a darkened room.

Eileen Woyen is a pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Albert Lea.