They say it is the most wonderful time of the year. Make no mistake about it there is a different feel or vibe during December. This difference is true not just for those who are following an Advent calendar or those ‘making a list and checking it twice.’ It seems everyone indeed is a little happier and more excited about the countdown to Christmas. Not everyone feels this way, those who have lost loved ones around this time of year have a dread associated with the holiday, the excitement of the season only adds to the sense of grief and emotional pain that many are experiencing. Where I live, the days are becoming colder and shorter. The combination of darkness and cold can itself bring about the feeling of depression and discouragement. So it is a beautiful picture all these colored lights against a backdrop of night that brings a sense of joy on a cold night.
Out of the darkness comes the Light of the world. As John the Apostle stated:
4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:4
The light of Christ shines in the darkest places and the darkness has not overcome it, and to this day the Light still shines regardless of how dark it may be in the world. We have two choices: 1. We can curse the darkness or 2. We can focus on the Light that comes from Christ. This is the season that serves as a beautiful backdrop, just as the Christmas lights brighten up the darkness around our homes, so Christ shines in the darkest places of our hearts and world, and the night is dismissed. This same John writes later in his gospel account:12 Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” John 8:12
This Advent season as we celebrate the Christ Child and His coming to our world, we must never forget that He is the Light of the World. I did not say He is the Light of the world. He, Himself said, “I am the Light of the world.” Jesus declared that He was and is the Light of the world. It is through Him and in Him that we have the light to see things correctly. He enlightens and brightens all that He touches.
It is a dark world out there. There is no doubt about that fact. Jesus says in John 8:12 “Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness.” To be in the Light, you must stay close to the light! The secret is staying close to Jesus. For if He is the light and He is, and it is a dark world then I need to stay close enough to Him that He enables me to see things that matter to Him. He enables me to see that our world is hurting. People need to be loved and encouraged and rescued, and Jesus is the only hope for our world. I have enough light today to see that my main Advent and yearlong activity is to point people to the light. Come let us celebrate the one who is called the Light of life.
This post was written by Dr Ron Blake. You can find his original post here: wesleyshorse.com/the-light-of-life/
Out of the darkness comes the Light of the world. As John the Apostle stated:
4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:4
The light of Christ shines in the darkest places and the darkness has not overcome it, and to this day the Light still shines regardless of how dark it may be in the world. We have two choices: 1. We can curse the darkness or 2. We can focus on the Light that comes from Christ. This is the season that serves as a beautiful backdrop, just as the Christmas lights brighten up the darkness around our homes, so Christ shines in the darkest places of our hearts and world, and the night is dismissed. This same John writes later in his gospel account:12 Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” John 8:12
This Advent season as we celebrate the Christ Child and His coming to our world, we must never forget that He is the Light of the World. I did not say He is the Light of the world. He, Himself said, “I am the Light of the world.” Jesus declared that He was and is the Light of the world. It is through Him and in Him that we have the light to see things correctly. He enlightens and brightens all that He touches.
It is a dark world out there. There is no doubt about that fact. Jesus says in John 8:12 “Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness.” To be in the Light, you must stay close to the light! The secret is staying close to Jesus. For if He is the light and He is, and it is a dark world then I need to stay close enough to Him that He enables me to see things that matter to Him. He enables me to see that our world is hurting. People need to be loved and encouraged and rescued, and Jesus is the only hope for our world. I have enough light today to see that my main Advent and yearlong activity is to point people to the light. Come let us celebrate the one who is called the Light of life.
This post was written by Dr Ron Blake. You can find his original post here: wesleyshorse.com/the-light-of-life/
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