The Man Who Was a Lamp

The Man Who Was a Lamp

His name is John,

a man who was a lamp,

at least that is what Jesus said,

‘A burning and shining lamp.’

The implication is clear:

The lamp is a torch through the darkness

to find the Light of the Wrold.

As the lamp comes closer to the Light,

its radiance is overwhelmed.

It is in the presence of a stronger shining.

It decreases as the Light increases.

Yet there is no comparison.

[…]

Yet he came to me

to go beyond me.

He entered the water

to rise out of it.

He knew I would know him when he came

even though I did not know him before he came.

The fulfillment is always more than the promise,

but if you hunger and thirst in the promise,

you will welcome the One Who Is Not You

as All You Are,

and more.

[…]

The cave of Christmas

is hidden

in the center of the earth.

You will need a lamp for the journey.

A man named John

is a step ahead of you.

His torch sweeps the ground

so that you do not stumble.

He brings you,

at your own pace,

to the entrance of the cave.

His smile is complete,

perfect,

whole,

lacking nothing.

Inside

there is a sudden light,

but it does not hurt your eyes.

The darkness has been pushed back by radiance.

You feel like an underwater swimmer

who has just broken the surface of the Jordan

and is breathing in the sky.

John is gone.
Notice

from whom the light is shining,

beloved child.

Excerpted from John Shea, Starlight:  Beholding the Christmas Miracle All Year Long

For the complete poem, click here.

Photo source:  St. Andrei Rublyov, St. John the Baptist (15th c. icon)