John 1:4,5 – In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
It seems like some nights are just darker than others. It may be the clouds or the lack of a moon on that particular night but it just feels different. In a similar way some seasons in our lives just seem darker than others. The Bible clearly indicates it was one of these dark times when Jesus was born. Isaiah spoke about the dark season that was prevalent when the Messiah would appear,
Is. 60:2
“For behold, darkness will cover the earth
And deep darkness the peoples;
But the LORD will rise upon you
And His glory will appear upon you”.
The thing about dark times, it makes it much easier to see the light. The birth of Jesus and His life and ministry were a bright light in a time of darkness. Today we are also living in one of those dark seasons. Maybe, just maybe that light will break into our darkness in unprecedented ways. Here are some thoughts from Augustine on the light that enlightens men.
“For this follows: “and the life was the light of men;” and from this very life are men illuminated. Cattle are not illuminated, because cattle have not rational minds capable of seeing wisdom. But man was made in the image of God, and has a rational mind, by which he can perceive wisdom. That life, then, by which all things were made, is itself the light; yet not the light of every animal, but of men. Wherefore a little after he says, “That was the true light, which lights every man that cometh into the world.” By that light John the Baptist was illuminated; by the same light also was John the Evangelist himself illuminated. He was filled with that light who said, “I am not the Christ; but He cometh after me, whose shoe’s latchet I am not worthy to unloose.” By that light he had been illuminated who said, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Therefore that life is the light of men.”
The Christmas season could be called our Celebration of Light. After all, that’s when the Light of the world broke through the darkness of night. If Jesus is in you, that light is in you. Walk in the light and let His light shine through you this Christmas.
