Christmas and lights go hand in hand, and it is easy to see why. There's the light of the star the Wise Men followed and the light that shines in the darkness from John's gospel. Along with Christmas lights, the electric lights of the modern world have all but vanquished natural darkness. Night is scarcely night any longer. But the darkness in John's gospel is still abundant, and it still prefers to hide in the shadows. This darkness has little use for the light, for Jesus. That is true even of some who call themselves Christians. But John reminds us that the darkness cannot overcome this light. And we who would follow Jesus are called to embrace the ways of light. We are called to make the world a brighter place.