Genesis 1:3-4

New International Version (NIV)

And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness.

For meditation

“I wish I could have commanded the light in the bathroom to come on automatically that night,” my friend said.

His family was invited by his friends to dinner in their home. They arrived a little early and his wife had a good time with the host’s children. His bladder was calling for evacuation, but the conversation with the man got interesting and absorbing. Finally, food was served, and they sat to eat. Since he couldn’t hold it any longer, he asked for the restroom. Out of respect for him, his host led him into their bedroom instead of the visitor’s facility. My friend went for the switch, but felt nothing on the wall. Almost dropping everything in his pants, he fumbled for his zipper; but the zipper also decided to play stubborn. Like water gushing out of a new well for the first time, he let it out without noticing he was hitting the wrong target, multiplying his woes. He had to spend a considerable amount of time trying to mop his liquid waste from the floor he could see. Meanwhile, they were all seated at table waiting for him.

Darkness is the worst condition to be in at any time. Let power be taken out when watching your best show and you will know how my friend felt that night. It is blindness with the eyes wide open. Only the imagination can bring some sense of reality; but imagination never reveals the true form of anything. In darkness, anything could pass, and so wickedness and deception rules. That is why God dispelled darkness at the beginning of creation by the eternal command: “Let there be light” (Gen. 1:3). It is the reason He has dispelled our spiritual darkness by giving us Jesus, “The true light that gives light to everybody” (Jn. 1:9). He is the Christ we celebrate at Christmas.

1. Do you see how good God has been to the world (Jn. 3:16)?
2. Can you appreciate how He has illumined our world with the birth of His Son so that darkness may rule no more in those who believe in Him?
3. Do you know that, “Whoever follows [Jesus] will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of men” (Jn. 8:12).
4. Do you see why in walking by the Spirit we do not need to fumble in life like my friend did in the darkness of the bathroom?
5. Have you received this life-giving light by accepting and believing on the name of Jesus (1:12-13)?

I pray this gives you the reason to celebrate Christmas this year.

So: May you rejoice that your darkness has been lifted by the birth of Jesus; and may you walk in His light that, you may not fumble in desperate need of any light to brighten your life again.

Thank God Jesus is the Light of the world.

Shalom