When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
John 8:12 NIV
“Joseph’s Dream” is an oil painting from 1645 that most art historians attribute to the great Dutch master, Rembrandt. For me, it’s one of Rembrandt’s most powerful and moving images related to the birth of Christ. The painting depicts the second dream of Joseph where the angel warns Joseph to leave Bethlehem and flee to Egypt because King Herod is searching for the child to kill him (Matt. 2:13).
The painting shows Joseph and Mary looking completely exhausted. Rembrandt uses somber earthy tones throughout the painting that remind us of the dark and impoverished world Jesus was born into. The darkness and filth are so dense that, at first glance, it looks like the darkness may overcome the light.
At second glance, however, we see this is not the case. The dark earth tones give way to radiant golden hues that illuminate the face of a tired Mary and the angel who places a gentle and reassuring hand on Joseph’s shoulder to urge him to head to Egypt.
The painting invites us into an intimate moment where the divine meets humanity. Today, this same God will do for you and me what he did for Joseph and Mary. When we are exhausted and weary of this world, Christ will meet us in our need, promises to be with us through the ups and downs of life, and gives us his strength and guidance for the road ahead.
This Christmas may we have a renewed sense of wonder that the Son of God willingly came into this world to be the antidote to sin and darkness. And may Christ shine through us so others may be called out of darkness into his wonderful light.
Spirit of God, fill us afresh with an overwhelming and motivating awe of our Saviour, that we may be salt and light in a world that desperately needs both. All this for the glory of Christ and the fame of his name.
Elaine Irwin
* Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from the New American Standard Bible, ©The Lockman Foundation, 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1995. Used by permission.
** The above was taken from Glory to God in the Highest: A Christmas Devotional (Oakville: Proclamation, 2024).
By job title, Alice is the office administrator at Oakridge. But her behind-the-scenes efforts go far beyond that! She is actively involved in the leadership team for the Tuesday evening women's bible study, she is on the mission committee, and she has recently both stepped into the leadership of church bridal and baby shower celebrations, and started teaching in our Ozone kids program. Oh, and if you see any special seasonal or holiday decorations around the church, it's a safe bet that Alice was involved!