One feature of Christmas is the Light of the World breaking into our spiritual darkness–Jesus, “the true light which gives light to everyone.” (John 1:9). Consider these simple Scriptures:
“The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1)
“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.” (Isaiah 9:2)
“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you.” (Isaiah 60:1)
“[B]ut the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory. Your sun shall no more go down, nor your moon withdraw itself; for the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your days of mourning shall be ended.” (Isaiah 60:19c-20)
“But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings.” (Malachi 4:2a)
“[B]ecause of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.” (Luke 1:78-79)
“And an angel of the Lord appeared to [the shepherds], and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear.” (Luke 2:9)
“[T]he people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light, and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death, on them a light has dawned.” (Matthew 4:16)
“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:5)
“Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life.'” (John 8:12)
These and more remind us that the God of Heaven and Earth has pierced the spiritual darkness of our lives with his only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ. I invite you to take the simple phrase from John 1:5, mentioned above, and meditate on it during this Christmas season: The Light Shines.
And his name is Jesus.