Light is Life

Dec. 5

Read: John 1:1-5

Light is Life

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”

Life and light go together. What a powerful image for us. One of my favorite Christmas traditions as a family has always been when we would meet our friends the Lackeys and all go to see the Roper Mountain Lights. What fond memories seeing those Christmas lights twinkle against the night sky. Driving our van packed with kids and hot cocoa through the arched lights of “candy cane lane”; or seeing the giant Frosty the Snowman waving at us as we round the corner. It is amazing how much joy can come from a strand of different colored lights at night. Even though they have stopped that light show in our town, we still go out as a family and drive around our seeking out which neighborhood has the best Christmas lights. As a child growing up, I can remember the glow of the Christmas lights on our tree in our living room… and the hours spent just looking at all the ornaments hanging on its branches. There is just something undeniably “magical” about lights. There is no doubt that “lights” and “life” go together. Light truly does give joy and life. I think this is why God chooses to describe his son Jesus Christ as the “light and life” of men.

It is particularly true that the light most “life giving” in the dark… think about it. No one goes to see Christmas lights during the day! They are best and brightest when viewed against the contrast of the darkness. This is a reflection of a greater truth: Jesus Christ shines brightest and is most life giving against the stark contrast and backdrop of the darkness! The darker things get, the brighter he shines. The brighter he shines, the more LIFE that comes through the light.

Nothing in this universe… in all of creation… can truly live without light. Even those things that do seem to “live” in the dark could never do so alone - even they depend on the light in some form or fashion. This is both literal and figurative. Our planet requires the light of the sun but even moreso it depends on Christ. (cf. Col. 1) As humans we depend on the “light and life” of Christ whether we recognize it or not. HE is the one who gives life. John tells us, “All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.” (v.3) Jesus truly is the source of all things. Life is found only in him.

Jesus is the ultimate “Christmas light show”. He brings life and joy all the while shining most brightly in the darkness. John 1:5 says this: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” Jesus is most clearly observed against the backdrop of the darkness of the world. This darkness will NEVER overtake the light. Like everything else… even those darkest things require the light to survive. In the end, the light will win and darkness will be overcome. In the meantime, we get the light show!

Take sometime today to enjoy the lights. There is life to be found in the “light of mankind” that is Jesus Christ. Let every light you see around you today…and this season… be a reminder of John 1:1-5. As you drive through the town, neighborhoods, parking lots and businesses, keep your eyes out for where the lights twinkle and shine. Do you realize that in Christ, we bear this same “light” for the word? The darker it is around us, the better the light show. It is so much easier to see the light which carries with it LIFE in the midst of the darkness. This is Christ for us AND this is Christ IN US. Like Christmas lights strung around town, Christ is everywhere. He pops up in the least expected places. He is bringing the “light and life” with him. May God grant us child-like faith and give us a holiday season where we enjoy the light(s). May we have ample opportunity to be the light for others… to bring them life. May we shine in the dark! Love you guys. - JDP