John 1:3,4 – All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.

It’s funny how all of the musical artists seem compelled to produce a Christmas album. Everyone from Bruce Springsteen to John Lennon and Brenda Lee to Elvis has taken a stab at least at producing one Christmas song. Springsteen sang about Santa Claus, Lennon wishes us a Merry Christmas, Brenda Lee was rocking around the Christmas tree, and Elvis was singing about a Blue Christmas. All were popular, successful, and if you are honest quite empty. That brings us to today’s scripture that speaks about what Christmas is really all about, light that pierces the darkness, and life that overcomes death. Here are some comments from my commentary on the Gospel of John on these verses.

“Jesus came to this earth to give us life. The New Testament clearly teaches that until someone is born again they are actually dead. It is the resurrection life of Christ imparted to us that brings us into life. Many folks think that accepting Christ is about simply guaranteeing our heavenly residence and giving us the ability to continue the same life we had before with more earthly blessings. nothing could be more wrong! This life Jesus is speaking of is quality of life, the very life that the Father and the Son enjoy. We were created by God to enjoy His life and nothing else could ever satisfy our hungry hearts.”

Now on the other side of the Christmas music world are some of the famous Christmas songs, the best ones are often the oldest. There is ‘Joy to the World’ about exactly that, the light and life of God that brings us into the joy of this new found light at the announcement of His coming. Then there is ‘O come all Ye Faithful’ that is all about believers returning to the message of the birth of Christ at Bethlehem and worshipping the Lord. Then who can forget “Silent Night”, ‘It Came Upon a Midnight Clear’, and ‘Hark the Herald Angels Sing”. These songs carry the light and life of Christ and have endured for hundreds of years because they carry within them the very testimony of light and life found in the birth of Christ. I am not trying to be the Grinch seeking to steal your Christmas joy, I guess I am just wondering what kind of joy you are really after.