Arise, shine, for your light has come,

And the glory of the LORD has risen upon you.

For behold, darkness shall cover the earth,

And thick darkness the peoples;

But the LORD will arise upon you,

And his glory will be seen upon you. (ESV)

First of all, I want to wish you a Merry Christmas, friend. Wherever you are today, thank you for joining me. Whether this season is full of hustle and bustle, or you are finding rest, take a moment to slow down and reflect on what we celebrate today. It’s so easy to get lost in the season and miss out on the reason.

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Have you ever struggled to endure what feels like endless darkness? Not just physically because it’s winter in Alaska, and we are just past the shortest day of the year. You might experience this in a number of ways: an emptiness inside, something is missing, etc.  But honestly, sometimes we can be so blind dwelling in the darkness that we don’t even realize it. I’ve been there myself.

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Our world is seemingly no different - hungry for light, for peace, for hope, for a Savior. We search political parties, careers, substances, experiences, worldly things, and short-lived comforts, all ending with our deepest need still unfulfilled. But thankfully, it doesn’t end there. There is a message of hope, not just for today, but every day.

In today’s Scripture, we read about the light that the Lord has brought upon his people. This light pierces the darkness and can be seen from afar. This light doesn’t just enable us to see but works through us too, acting as beacons of hope for others living in the darkness. Today, we celebrate the coming of the One who is the light and our reason for hope – Jesus. Without him, we are destined for darkness, but with him we have light. John 8:12 reminds us of this: “Again Jesus spoke to them, saying ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’” What’s even more beautiful is that not only does Jesus want to bring us to light, but he also wants to use you and me to bring others this same hope.

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We are not the light, but we have the great opportunity and responsibility to tell others about it. We weren’t just saved from something but also for something. So, if you have accepted the light of Jesus’ presence in your life (whether it was 50 seconds or 50 years ago), ask him how you can reflect that to others today. The hope that Jesus brings, and the abundant light that a relationship with him fills your life with, are meant to be shared. There is a neighbor, a family member, or a stranger that needs to see that in you today.

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What might it look like for you to share that hope and light with someone else? It could be taking new steps in community such as joining a life group. Maybe there is “the one” in your life already that God has put on your heart, and it’s time to let them know more about where your hope comes from. If you’re not sure what your next step is, I encourage you to simply ask God to show you what that looks like and trust where he leads you.  

Father, I thank you for seeing me in the darkness that I once lived in and for bringing me into the light. I thank you for sending your Son, not only to save me from something, but for something, too. Please help me to share the hope that you bring with those around me. Amen!