Sunday, December 25, 2022

Christmas Day Message - Light

During the past couple of days, my family, friends and I have experienced what some call a generational cold snap. Much of the United States has been plunged into some very cold weather that many have never seen. Due to the extreme cold, water and power has been affected and outages are widespread. In a society that lives by gadgets, it is very hard to live without power. When we are stuck in darkness, it is sometimes very difficult for us to see a way out. 

We reach for our flashlights, generators, candles, fireplaces and other items to keep us warm and able to see. Darkness, for some, is very scary. We not only huddle around a fire for warmth but also for safety. When we are in the dark, our imaginations run wild. Every sound seems to be louder and alien. It is funny how we can just start imagining things. But, that is what darkness will do to many. It causes them to become fearful.

The same thing holds true with our spiritual lives. When we live in darkness, we fear death. We know that darkness leads to destruction, death and damnation. It is a simple truth. Paul was quite clear when he told us that sin had a consequence. 

In chapter six of his epistle to the church in Rome, Paul wrote, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.

When you live in darkness, you live in fear of the consequences of sin. You can never be free from that fear. It hangs over you and the wages for that sin can never be repaid. The debt of living in darkness is something that you could never repay. Someone had to take on that debt and become your sacrifice. That someone is Jesus. He came to show you the way out of darkness by being the light that leads you to the Father.

In chapter eight of the Gospel of John, Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.

Light provides us safety and can guide us to the right place. Darkness can lead you to death. The light of the world can lead you to eternal life with the Father. 

On this Christmas day, we celebrate the birth of Jesus and the light that came into the world. That light gives us hope, faith and love that gets us through the tough times ahead. But, always be on guard when it comes to darkness. Like a power outage in the dead of winter, darkness can sneak into your life. Darkness cannot stand the light. It wants to keep things hidden. Evil lives in darkness.

In chapter three of the Gospel of John, Jesus said, “And the judgment is based on this fact: God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed. But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants.

I ask you on this day to love the light of the world and reject darkness and the evils it hides. Walk in the light and on the path of righteousness. Of all the days of the year, today would be the greatest gift that you can accept. Accept the gift of salvation and the light it brings into the world. When you do that, you have nothing to fear and can stand firm in His grace.  

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

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