The Light of the World
By: Kristen L. McNulty
Reprint rights available on request. Email the author at kristenmcnulty@hotmail.com.
When was the last time you stood completely in the darkness? The kind of darkness that seems to envelope you, yet stretches on forever? After a few minutes your eyes might adjust to the darkness, fooling yourself that you can see, but it doesn’t take more than a few steps forward to realize a sense of clear sight in the dark is merely an illusion. Sure you can make out some of the bigger objects in your path, but you are helpless to identify what they are, see any detail about where your feet are about to step or find any true sense of direction. Physical darkness leaves us lost, and feeling on our own even in a room filled with people. Spiritual darkness is the same and it’s the condition we are living in. The one that prompted God to give us the very best Christmas gift over two thousand years ago.
When prophesying about the birth of the Saviour, Isaiah 9:2 says:
The people who walk in darkness
will see a great light.
For those who live in a land of deep darkness,
a light will shine. Isaiah 9:2
Then upon His arrival, the book of John describes Jesus' coming to our earth as follows:
The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it. John 1:4-5
Jesus Offers Us Another Way
All of us are born into darkness, into a world tainted by sin. We walk in the dark and because the darkness is all we know from birth, we don't think there could be any change. Our lives are the way they are and nothing more. So any sense of hope for the future and hope for change here and now gets put on the shelf and forgotten about. But Jesus offers another way. The opportunity to be led through this life by His light and it changes absolutely everything. His light casts out the shadows, illuminates the way in front of us, accompanies us when we feel alone, and directs which way we should go. Jesus described it this way a few chapters later in John chapter 8 when He said:
Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, "I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won't have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life."
The Message of Christmas
That my friends is the message of Christmas. That is why we celebrate this season. What happened in Bethlehem when Jesus was born was like a light switch flipped on in our world and people who were once stumbling their way through the darkness were given the opportunity to walk through life with a light that would chase away the shadows and never leave them alone again. You don’t realize how dark it is until the lights come on and in the same way, you might be stumbling through life right now, thinking you’re getting by okay, but you have no idea the difference the light of Christ can make in your life!
He has completely changed my life. Renewing me from the inside out and giving me His love, hope, strength, peace, and light. I’m no longer walking through life lost and hopeless because of who He is and what He has done and the same gift can be yours this Christmas.
Look to the manger and see how Jesus came on a path that would lead Him from Bethlehem to the cross in Calvary. He did it to bring light to your life and mine here and now, and eternal life with Him after we have breathed our last breath on this earth.
A Life-Changing Gift
It’s not a complicated gift with a long list of conditions we need to meet in order to qualify. It’s as simple as this. Our sin separates you and I from God, but Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross covers those sins and bridges the gap between God and us. If you want to accept and have the light switch thrown on in your life it’s easy to do. Jesus doesn't force His light and His love on everyone, but He invites you to accept it. So how do you accept it? The Bible tells us in the book of Romans that if we confess with our mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in our hearts that God raised Him from the dead we are saved. What cost Him everything is free for you and for me.
So this Christmas accept it! Then watch as your world starts to illuminate. With Christ you will no longer be lost, walking in the dark with no sense of purpose or direction. Instead Jesus, the Light of the World, will illuminate the path before you and be there with you every step along the way.
The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it. John 1:4-5
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