The first week of December is here. We have gotten past Thanksgiving and we are now firmly focused on the coming of Christmas. For so many people in our culture, and around the world, this is, as the song says, “the most wonderful time of the year.”
Why do we anticipate Christmas with such relish? For the believer, the answer must surely lie, above all, in the awareness that Jesus Christ appeared to take away our sins. The long-promised Messiah arrived.
But even so as we look out into the world it can be easy to be discouraged, pessimistic, and even cynical. There are wars that dominate the headlines, and violence and crime are on the rise. Pain and suffering seem to be everywhere.
On a more personal level, maybe the last year wasn’t filled with good memories for you, or maybe it was, but it was mixed with bad ones as well. Maybe you suffered some personal heartache. Even if the past year was good for you it doesn’t take long to look around and realize the world is full of hurt, violence and brokenness. It can be hard to see any silver lining or light on the horizon. That is the reality for many people.
But it is in these moments we need to be reminded most of the greatest story of all–the story of when love came to earth, the light of the world. Jesus brings hope for all and hopes for a better and redeemed future.
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 was not anything made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. (John 1:1-5)
The light of the world comes and shines a light and reveals what is genuine and what is counterfeit. So, what does this light reveal exactly? Jesus, as the light of the world, reveals to the world what God is really like and sets the record straight about who God is. He also shows us what true humanity is supposed to look like, by both redeeming it and leading us to a better way, full of life.
As you enjoy your McDonald’s Peppermint Hot Chocolate while driving to the mall listening to the Christmas Carol station to finish your shopping (or you have surfed Amazon for the last time), after you have strung your lights and finished the decorating, please remember that the Light has come. Even when the seemingly necessary chores to celebrate the season weigh heavy on you, the Light has come. And after the calendar has flipped and we are looking forward to a new year, the Light has come.
Merry Christmas!