It is December. While we look forward to Christmas we also look beyond to the New Year. As a year begins another year is coming to an end. What are our memories from 2022? Was it a good year for us personally? For our families? For our country? For our world?
As we look out into the world, it can be easy to be discouraged, pessimistic, and even cynical. The world doesn’t know peace, inflation is climbing out of control, and energy prices are rising. Our memories from this year may not be the best.
Whatever this year has meant to us it doesn’t take long to look around and realize the world is full of hurt, violence, and brokenness. Sometimes it can be hard to see any silver lining or any light on the horizon. It is in these moments we need to be reminded of the greatest story of all-the story of Christmas -the story of when love came to earth, the light of the world. Jesus brings hope for all and hope for a better and redeemed future.
The gospels of Matthew and Luke get most of the attention at Christmas time. But my favorite version of the Christmas story comes from the Gospel of John:
In the beginning, was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was in the beginning with God. 3All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. 4In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5The 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. As well, He 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 (or my personal favorite Tim Horton’s Peppermint Mocha), driving around checking out Christmas lights while listening to the Christmas Carol station, remember that the light has come. After you have strung your own lights and finished decorating the Light has come. Even when the seemingly necessary chores to celebrate the season weigh heavy on you, the Light has come. Even when we make difficult decisions regarding how we socialize and celebrate, the Light has come. And after the calendar has flipped and we are looking forward to a new year, the Light has come.