The sun rose this morning. That’s no surprise. It rises every morning without fail, chasing away the darkness and heralding a new day with its light. An everyday miracle. Every single day, light conquers darkness. Yet it is so familiar we often fail to be amazed.
“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in deep darkness a light has dawned” (Isaiah 9:2). This is no everyday miracle of sun casting away shadows. The prophet declared the miracle of Christmas: light penetrating darkness, breaking it apart and pushing it completely aside. “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it,” writes John the Apostle (John 1:5).
Everyday a sunrise, and everyday a bold declaration. The light has come, and the darkness cannot overcome it. Every morning this reenactment: Behold, the light has come!
Behold, the Light has come, the Christ has come! God Himself has entered the scene. Hallelujah! He stepped down into our darkness and revealed His light. Angels were heard singing on high, and shepherds ran to see the sight, to bear witness to the miracle. They ran to see and then they ran to tell – wives, children, neighbors, anyone who would listen.
“In the heavens we saw a great light, and angels all around! They told us a babe was born in a stable manger, and that he is the Light we all have waited for, the One we have longed for. Glory to God in highest, and on earth peace!”
This story comes to us through the ages. The shepherds told what they saw, and it was recorded in the scriptures. From generation to generation, through the centuries, the retelling and rehearsing of the Christmas story has been passed from one to the next with words so familiar we often fail to be amazed.
“‘The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel’ (which means ‘God with us’)” (Matthew 1:23).
“She will give birth to a son, and … give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21).
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).
By the power of the Holy Spirit, a virgin gave birth to a son, Jesus, the light of the world. And His light continues to shine, and the darkness has not overcome it. The darkness will never overcome it.
Let this refrain of hope resonate in your heart this Christmas: the Light has come and the darkness cannot overcome it. Repeat it to yourself when facing discouragement. Repeat it to your loved ones in the midst of their struggles. Repeat it to a weary and waiting world in desperate need of a word of hope. Repeat the sounding joy! Peace on earth, goodwill and favor to all! This isn’t just wishful thinking. This is the Christmas miracle who has come to rescue us! Behold, the Light has come, and the glory of the Lord shines upon us!
Hallelujah!
A Prayer
Light of the World, shine upon my heart this Christmas! Chase away the darkness. Bring me clarity of vision, purity of purpose, and the strength of Your love.
Thank You for rescuing me from my sin and for always being with me. You are my Rock and my Savior.
