Live in the Light

December marks the darkest season of the year, where the days are short, cold, and dark. It is no accident that one of the things we surround ourselves with during the Christmas season is light. Christmas lights on houses and trees, candles, even the cozy glow of light from the windows of houses we pass as we drive around brings a sort of comfort and warmth to the wintery darkness.

I had a grandma who loved Christmas, and as I helped her decorate each year, it seemed like there was always something new that either lit up or played music. I especially remember one tall plastic angel (supposed to look like frosted glass) that glowed and changed color. As I remember, it was the first of her light-up decorations, and was always given pride of place on her coffee table. —I always suspected that it cheered her up as much as it did the young visitors she pretended she had set it out for.

My grandma recognized that the Christmas season is meant to be full of light and gladness. But today as I write this, the world around me looks quite dark. Whether on a global, national, or local level, the state of things reminds me of the despairing words penned by Longfellow: “for hate is strong and mocks the song of peace on earth, goodwill to men.”

And yet, what is it we are celebrating? Jesus Himself said,

“I am the light of the world: he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

Christ Himself is the Light we need. He was the Light for which God’s people longed year after year, and He is the Light we now enjoy, the Light that has defeated the darkness once and for all.

Yes, the world is certainly in darkness, but that does not mean you and I have to be. If you have trusted Christ to be your Savior, you already have that “light of life” Jesus spoke of. No amount of darkness in this world can ever quench the light of Christ in you.

When Christ, the Light of the World came to earth, He brought light, not for Himself, but for those in the darkness. Isaiah described it beautifully:

“The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.” (Isaiah 9:2)

As we live in the light of Christ, those in the darkness will notice, and the light we reflect will affect them. As Jesus said, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)

We have been given the light. It is our responsibility to walk in it, regardless of how dark the world around us may be, and then to share it with those still walking in the darkness.

“This then is the message which we have heard of Him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all.” (I John 1:5)