The darkest day of the year is just around the corner: tomorrow, December 21st. This marks the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year and the longest night. Isn’t it a wonder that just four days after the darkest day of the year, we celebrate the light of the world coming down to Earth?

“This is the message we heard from Jesus and now declare to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all.” (1 John 1:5)

“In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.” (John 1:1-5)

“Jesus spoke to the people once more and 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.’” (John 8:12)

The world had been through a metaphorical darkness leading up to the night of Christ’s birth. It had been 400 years since God had chosen prophets to speak to the people. Let that sink in: 400 years ago it was 1621. In 1621, the colonists created the first treaty with the Native Americans, the Mayflower left on its return trip to England, more settlers were arriving at the Plymouth Colony, it was a completely different world. Imagine if the last time God had spoken to His people was 400 years ago! That is the setting for Christ’s birth: He arrived at a dark and silent time, when generations had come and gone without hearing from God through a prophet. It is in this dark time that God sent the Light of the world!

“I, the Lord, have called you to demonstrate my righteousness. I will take you by the hand and guard you, and I will give you to my people, Israel, as a symbol of my covenant with them. And you will be a light to guide the nations.” (Isaiah 42:6)

And Jesus gives His followers this light to shine brightly in a dark world.

“‘You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.’” (Matthew 5:14-16)

Let your good deeds shine out for all to see. We live in a dark and unbelieving world, but Jesus has tasked us with lighting it up. Shine your light proudly not just this Christmas season but the whole year round!

There will be no new posts at The Constant Battle until December 31st! Have a blessed and happy Christmas!