Christmas Advent Devotional Day 12 : Christmas Light

 


 


 

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.  (John 1:1-5, NKJV, emphasis mine).

 

 

As God spoke, “Let there be light,” Jesus, the very word of God, made it so. Is it really so surprising that he would also be called the Light of the World?

 

"Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” (John 8:12, NKJV)

 

Jesus was not only the Creator of the World, but He Himself is the light of the world. In Him is a bright light that illuminates the path for us.  He possesses the light that drives out the darkness of sin and despair.

When Adam and Eve sinned, the world was plunged into spiritual darkness. As we draw near to the return of Christ, the darkness seems to be gaining ground in humanity. The human soul craves light.  When there is not enough light, it can even lead to depression.  Thankfully there is a permanent remedy for darkness.

When Jesus walked the Earth, few recognized Him for who He was.  But to those willing to see Him for Who He was, He brought life, light, joy and peace.  Hope was in Him…  resurrection…and healing.  To those unwilling to receive Him, they continued to stumble blindly in the darkness.

The concept of Christ as the light is no minor theme in the Bible. Observe what occurred around the time of Jesus’ crucifixion and death:

 

Matt. 27:45-46

45 Now from the sixth hour until the ninth hour there was darkness over all the land. 46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (NKJV)

 

As the Light of the World was being extinguished, even Creation was made aware of it.  Inexplicably, the light went out as He faded away. Praise God that darkness was temporary!  He only remained in the grave for 3 days.  After His resurrection, He showed the light unto many (and continues to do so to this day).

At the end of the age, we will not be limited by our humanity.  We will have unlimited access to the “Sun” (Son) and the Light of the World. In fact, when Christ creates a new heaven and a new earth, He will forever remain the light:

"And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof."  Rev. 21:23 (NKJV)

 

This world is a dark and sinful place.  One of the darkest places in all the world is the human heart, devoid of Christ’s presence.  He alone gives lasting hope, joy and peace.  Without Him there is no light to push back the darkness around us.  If you need that light today, invite Him into your heart.  Turn from your sin and He will reveal the light of His love and presence to you.



 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Christmas Advent Devotional: Day 2 "A Lion King to Come"

Image
 I love looking for Jesus in the Old Testament.    It is somewhat like an Easter egg hunt at times, and like a child, I am filled with joy at the discovery! This time we see Jesus, the Reason for the Season, tucked inside a blessing from a dying man.    Jacob draws his sons near to bestow a blessing upon them- a blessing that is filled with prophecy, later to unfold.    Israel is the grandson of Abraham, the one with whom God made a covenant to bless the nations. The lineage through whom Christ, the Messiah, would come.  As Israel speaks to his son, Judah, he gives him an exalted position in the family- one normally reserved for the firstborn. Genesis 49:8-10 8 “Judah, you  are he  whom your brothers shall praise; Your hand  shall be  on the neck of your enemies; Your father’s children shall bow down before you.  9  Judah  is  a lion’s whelp; From the prey, my son, you have gone up. He bows down, h...
Read more
Image
  Merry and Bright: Christmas Advent Devotional Day 1     Ah, the season of Christmas where all is merry and bright!  Movies and carols would have you believe that is the case.  But if we are honest with ourselves (and each other), we know that the Christmas season often comes in the middle of hard seasons. Recently, I reflected on how many of my inner circle are fighting overwhelming battles.  Then it occurred to me- life is hard almost all the time, and Christmas is no exception. The earliest foretelling of a “Christmas to Come” was in the very first book of the Bible, Genesis 3:15 15  And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. (KJV)   I don’t know about you, but to me this verse sounds a lot like a battle.  Christ would indeed come during the middle of a battle.  Because the sin choice Adam and Eve made, we are all fighting our way thro...
Read more

Christmas Advent Devotional Day 4: Something Had to Give

Image
    Isaiah 9:6 6  For Unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (NKJV, emphasis mine )   This passage is one of the most beautiful of the predictions about the coming Messiah.   It reads like pure poetry!   It is so good in fact, that we will look at it over several days.   Today, we will concentrate on the bolded portion: "Unto us a child is born"…   Normally a child is born “unto” his/her parents.   But Jesus would be born to us !   He would come to meet us at our point of need.   He would insert Himself into humanity because His love was too great for Him to remain at a distance.   He was unwilling to enjoy the glories of heaven without His beloved (you and me.)   "Unto us a Son is given" .. .    He had come in answer to the pra...
Read more