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
Have you ever laid in bed in a room that’s completely blacked out with the lights off? A room where it’s so dark you literally cannot see your hand an inch in front of your face. It can be a little unnerving, even disorienting.
Imagine if in that same room, the slightest shaft of light is allowed to enter, maybe in the crack of a door, or a tiny space between curtains. Slowly you start to be able to see some details – the outline of your hand, the objects near the light.
That single tiny light changes everything. Light is a powerful thing. In a very real way, it drives out darkness and lets you see the world around you.
One of the ways we celebrate Advent is with the lighting of candles, and John 1:4–5 gives us the clear connection between Christmas and this concept of light entering our life.
We praise God because Jesus is the light of the world. And He’s not just a small shimmer of light peeking through a crack. He is the light and life of all humankind.
And through His light we can have hope and we can clearly see the world around us. Thanks be to God for the light that overcomes the darkness.
Prayer Challenge
Ask God to shine His light through you this week to encourage and bless someone around you.
Questions for thought
1. Have you ever experienced complete darkness around you? How did it make you feel?
2. As followers of Christ, He calls us to shine our light to the world. What is one way you can do that this week?