When the Light Came

For me, Christmas comes at the perfect time.  The time of year when the days are short and when it is usually dark before you even get home from work.  It is easy to feel tired, unmotivated, or even depressed.  But in this season of extra darkness, we celebrate Christmas.  We add color.  We add cheer. And we add lights.  I love the lights!  We cover our houses inside and out.  And the sparkle speaks a message of happiness and dispels the darkness.

Just like Christmas lights fill our houses with brightness and joy, Jesus came into a dark world and filled it with hope. In John 1, Jesus is actually described as the Light.  If we pay attention to the light in our world, it teaches us about Jesus’ purpose.

Light always shines brightest in the darkness.

Just recently, I was visiting family and the power went out.  The room went from bright to dark immediately.  It took a few minutes but we found a flashlight and lit a few candles.  Light quickly filled the room.  When you light a candle in a bright room, you barely notice the flame.  But with the backdrop of darkness, it shines brightly.

Light is always an indicator of life.

Earlier this year I went to a remote area of the Philippines.  Because there was no electricity when darkness fell it was truly dark.  But as we traveled along, every now and then you would see the light of a fire, and you would know, that light represented people.  Where there was no life, there was no light.  And where there was light, there was life.

We understand that Jesus’ light speaks of life.  Before time began, the entire earth was formless and covered in darkness.  Then Jesus spoke, and there was light.  Because Jesus was full of life, He could speak light into existence.

Light originates from a power source.

Light always has a source – the sun, electricity, or fire. In the same way, the light Jesus provided was produced by the power of God. And if we want that light we have to be connected to Jesus.

Just like the earth was dark and empty without God, mankind was without hope, empty, and dark without Jesus.  The joy of Christmas is that on this backdrop of darkness, the Light of the World was born in human form.  He is life and His life brings light to every man.  But we have to choose to embrace and live in the light.

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In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. There came a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to testify about the Light so that all might believe through him.  He was not the Light, but he came to testify about the Light. There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man.
John 1:4-9 NASB

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters. The God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.
Genesis 1:1-3 NASB

You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 5:14-15 NASB