The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. John 1:9-13

As we saw last week, God incarnate is referred to as the Word (John 1:1) – the Divine Expression of the Godhead in human form. Now John uses another adjective: The True Light. We see in verse 5 that the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. Perhaps John was divinely inspired to highlight what was written of the Lord in Psalm 119:105: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Jesus, the Word and the Light!

The world is a pretty dark place, and 2020 has intensified that darkness for many. While the world rejects and doesn’t know or even want to know Christ, we as believers must not dwell in this darkness and hopelessness. Instead, we ought to walk in the Light and as lights in the world (Eph 5:8, 1 John 1:7). In Christ, the True Light of the world, we are granted indescribable mercy, not obtained by works, but by God’s grace (Eph 2:8-9), and He lights our path, gives us hope, and provides assurance of better things to come.

As you drive down the streets lined with houses lit brightly with colored lights, remember the True Light of the world. This is what we celebrate at Christmastime: A King Who loves us so much that He would willingly humble Himself to become like one of His created beings, suffer wrath to pay for our countless sins past, present, and future, and rise again by His own power and will, conquering sin and death itself once and for all, so that we who believe can become His adopted children and serve in His eternal Kingdom.

With this in mind, this Christmas let’s join with the congregation of heavenly beings that sang praises upon Christ’s birth (Luke 2:14)

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

Merry CHRISTmas!