The Light Shines • John 1:1-9 • Wednesday, December 10, 2025

The Light That Pierces Darkness: Finding Life in Christ This Christmas

There's something magical about walking into a room adorned with Christmas lights. The soft glow of candles, the twinkling of tree lights, the warm illumination from wreaths and garlands—all create an atmosphere that touches something deep within us. But have you ever considered why these lights move us so profoundly? It's not just the lights themselves—it's the contrast. The way light penetrates darkness and transforms it into something beautiful.

This contrast between light and darkness isn't just aesthetically pleasing; it's a profound spiritual truth that lies at the heart of the Christmas story.

Walking in Darkness

The prophet Isaiah described humanity's condition with startling clarity: "The people who walked in darkness... those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness" (Isaiah 9:2). These aren't just poetic phrases—they're an accurate diagnosis of the human condition.

We walk in darkness every time we sin. Each act of selfishness, every harsh word, all our moments of pride and rebellion—these are steps taken in darkness. But the problem goes deeper than individual sins. We don't just occasionally walk through dark places; we dwell in a land of deep darkness.

Consider the world around us. Turn on the television for ten minutes, scroll through social media for five, or read through your emails. The evidence is everywhere. We live in a culture increasingly disconnected from spiritual truth. Recent census data reveals that over half the population of the United States now identifies with no religion at all. We are surrounded by darkness—moral confusion, spiritual emptiness, and a profound loss of meaning.

This darkness can feel overwhelming. We see it in broken relationships, in the loneliness epidemic, in addiction and despair, in violence and hatred. The darkness seems to be growing, pressing in from all sides.

The Light That Cannot Be Overcome

But here's the magnificent truth that changes everything: "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it" (John 1:5).

Into our dark world came Jesus—the source of life and light. The Gospel of John tells us, "In him was life, and the life was the light of men." Notice that connection: life and light are inseparable in Christ. Jesus doesn't just offer us biological existence—the mere breathing in and out that we share with all living creatures. He offers us something far greater: spiritual life, eternal life, abundant life.

This life is the light that pierces our darkness.

Should we fear that darkness might eventually overcome the light? Should we worry that we'll reach some tipping point where evil finally wins? Absolutely not. The cross and resurrection are God's definitive statement that light has already conquered darkness.

Death itself—the ultimate darkness—could not hold Jesus. If the grave couldn't overcome Him, nothing can.

Think about how a single candle changes a dark room. One small flame pushes back the shadows, making navigation possible, bringing warmth and hope. Jesus is that light for our souls, and no amount of darkness can extinguish Him.

Closing Our Eyes

Here's the sobering reality, though: while darkness cannot overcome the light, we can choose to turn away from it. How do you turn off light when you're surrounded by it? You close your eyes.

Too many people do exactly this with Jesus. They close their eyes because they don't want to believe. They don't want to know Him. They don't want Him in their lives. They turn their backs on the light and choose to remain in darkness—or more accurately, they choose an even deeper darkness.

But they still need the light. We all do.

Becoming Light-Bearers

This is where the story takes a fascinating turn. John the Baptist appears in the Gospel narrative with a specific mission: "He came as a witness to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light" (John 1:7-8).

John's role was to point people to Jesus, the true light source. But here's the question that should make us pause: If Jesus is the light of the world, how can He also say to us, "You are the light of the world"?

The answer is beautiful in its simplicity. We become like ornaments placed over the lights on a Christmas tree. When you position a translucent ornament over a bulb, what happens? It glows from within. The light shines through it, making it luminous.

That's what happens when Jesus lives within us. His light shines through us. We glow with His presence. The life He places in us—spiritual life, eternal life—radiates outward as light for others to see.

Letting Your Light Shine

We should be glowing with Jesus. Glowing from our faith. Glowing from our love for Him. Glowing from the peace we have in Him. Glowing from the knowledge that He has given us not just light, but life—everlasting life.

Remember that children's song? "This little gospel light of mine, I'm going to let it shine." Not hide it. Not snuff it out. Not put it under a basket. Let it shine.

But how exactly do we do that? Here's the liberating truth: the Bible doesn't provide a rigid user's manual for witnessing. It doesn't say you must talk to this specific person at this specific time using these exact words. Why? Because Jesus wants you to do it your way.

He's placed the gospel in your heart. He's put the light in your soul. He's given you life through His love and the gift of faith. Now, let it shine in a way that's authentic to who you are. Let it shine in a way that reaches others. Let it shine so that people see it and recognize Jesus in you.

The True Light

"The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world" (John 1:9).

This Christmas season, as you look at the lights adorning your home, your church, your community, let them remind you of a profound spiritual reality. Jesus is the light that has come into our dark world. He is the life that overcomes death. He is the hope that conquers despair.

And He invites you not just to bask in His light, but to become a light-bearer yourself—glowing with His presence, shining with His love, illuminating the darkness for others who desperately need to find their way home.

The darkness has not overcome Him. And it never will.

(Content generated by Pulpit AI from sermon transcript)