“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:1–5, ESV)
Light In Darkness
It makes sense that a star in the sky signaled the birth of Jesus Christ. He is the light of the world. He is a light shining in the darkness that the darkness cannot overcome. It only makes sense that a light shining in the darkness proclaimed his birth—a light shining so bright that it attracted the attention of wise men thousands of miles away in the east.
Life and Light
In this child born in a manger was light and that light was life. He brought life into the world. Not only is Jesus a light shining into the darkness that darkness cannot overcome, but he is life shining into death that death cannot overcome.
Jesus was born into this world to live a perfect life and die a perfect death. Then, he rose again from the dead, conquering sin and death. That is why death cannot overcome his life. He has won the victory. He defeated death when he rose again from the grave. He defeated darkness when we broke free from the tomb. Neither of them can overcome him because he has overcome them. He has won.
Our Light and Life
When we recognize that Jesus is light and life in the world, it’s powerful to notice how Jesus speaks about us. He says, “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14–16, ESV).
We are the light of the world because Jesus brought light into the world and overcame the darkness. We can let our light shine in the darkness because Jesus’ light has already overcome the darkness of this world AND the darkness of our hearts. Now, where darkness reigned, light reigns. Now, were death reined, life reigns.
Christmas Light and Life
Christmas reminds us that Christ’s light shone in the darkness—that Christ’s life shone in the midst ofdeath. It’s also a season reminding us that Christ has done this powerful work in the lives of all who believe in him. He has shone light and life into our hearts, overcoming our death and darkness.
Now, we are called to be life and light in the world. Especially in this season. As we celebrate light breaking into darkness—and life breaking into death—we should take time to focus on ways that we can let our light shine before others in the world. We should focus on ways that we can let our life shine before others in the world.
This is not to bring glory and honor to ourselves. No way. We are to let our life and light shine in the world so they would truly worship the Father in heaven—the one who sent his Son into the world—the one who sent light and life into the world. We are to let our life and light shine in the world so they can truly see the source of that light and life—Jesus Christ.
Let your life and light shine in the world so you can continue pointing people to Jesus Christ—the child born in the manger—the light that overcomes the darkness; the life that overcomes death.