Darkness comes earlier this time of year. The pink light fades to purple and then retreats completely. December 21st, the winter solstice, graces us with only nine hours of sunlight. Precious sunlight that gives warmth, lifts the spirit, and is actually essential to life. It’s amazing to consider the power of light.
In a dark room, a single candle brings hope and comfort and pushes back fear.
On a dim path, a beam of light brings confidence, courage, and direction.
A simple porch light welcomes the friend and deters the foe.
As I considered the power of light over darkness, I turned to the most glorious advent passage found in the Gospels.
“And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14
Not your normal Christmas story, is it? No baby in a manger here. But the weight of these words: Jesus Christ put on flesh and came to live among us! The Word who was in the beginning of all creation with God humbled Himself to become a man. Why?
“In Him [the Word] was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:4-5
Every time I read this it takes my breath away. I stop and read one. . . word. . . at
. . . a . . . time.
In Him is Life.
This Life is Light.
The Light is for us.
The Light shines in the darkness.
And here’s the breath-taking part–
The darkness has not,
cannot, will not–ever–overcome the Light.
At the birth of this infant God-man, Satan’s plans of darkness were forever thwarted. The Light came to dispel darkness and to offer hope. To push back fear and offer peace. At the birth of Jesus Christ, the life-bringing Light claimed victory over sin and death.
And Light and darkness cannot occupy the same space. It’s impossible. John makes this abundantly clear in I John 1:5, 7
“. . . God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. . . . But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.”
This is the beautiful fulfillment of that humble, flesh-robed Light: that we, sinners, might walk in the light, be Light-filled, be Lights in this dark world because of the blood of Jesus that cleanses us from all our sin.
Have you asked Jesus Christ to remove the darkness of your heart?
Have you trusted Him to be your Savior and flood your soul with Light?
Let His Light shine in your darkness and may this truly be a season of Light for you.