The Light
Here we are, another Christmas morning awaits us. For the children, it is a special time when they dream of Christmas gifts, Christmas trees, and all the festivities that accompany them. For many adults, it is a stressful time of year. We run around like chickens with our heads cut off to make sure those dreams our children have will be fulfilled on the morning of December 25th. Husbands stress trying to find the perfect gift for their wife, knowing there is a good chance it will be returned anyway.
Yet, for the believer, we know Christmas is way more than the euphoria of all the glitz and glitter of one day, and the days leading up to it. We know that even though December 25th is not the day Christ was born in the flesh, we understand the extreme importance of commemorating this magnificent miracle no matter the day. But for non-believers, how do we explain the importance of what Christmas really means?
I would like to share with you one of those ways. It begins in John 1:4-5, “In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. 5 The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.” In a time when the world was being held captive by the prince of darkness, a time when death had no rival, and all the hope man had was temporary animal sacrifices that just covered man’s sin but were not the cure for sin. It is in those days, when even the world did not understand its need, God Himself came into our world in the form of a baby, born of a virgin in a little village in a country of little significance to other nations. John tells us on that day Life was brought to man, and that life was a Light that could not be comprehended, nor could it be defeated.
The Champion of man came to overthrow the works of the devil and not just bring life, but eternal life. Yes, this Light was not understood then, but for the Christian of today, we understand the significance and power of the Light. The birth of Christ goes beyond the celebration of one day, but how this event changed the world forever. V. 9 gives a little insight into this change: “There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man.” Christ enlightens us to the fact that we are lost and in darkness and that we are in desperate need of a Savior. He also enlightens us to the truth that He is the only way to salvation. John 12:35-36, “So Jesus said to them, 'For a little while longer the Light is among you. Walk while you have the Light, so that darkness will not overtake you; he who walks in the darkness does not know where he goes. 36 While you have the Light, believe in the Light, so that you may become sons of Light.” When we receive Christ as our Lord and Savior, we now become vessels in which to reflect the very light Jesus came to be. So, as you look at the lights on the tree, or upon homes, remember you and I are to be light to present Jesus to a dark world.