The Light Has Come

In the beginning, there was darkness.

In the beginning, when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. – Genesis 1:1-2

Then…

God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day. – Genesis 1:3-5

In the beginning, there was darkness, but God created light and soon the rest of creation followed.

So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. – Genesis 1:27

When He was finished, He saw that everything was very good.

Man and God walked the earth together in perfect unity. Man and nature existed together in perfect harmony.

But a new kind of darkness crept in.

Adam and Eve chose to listen to a serpent and disobeyed God, and sin entered the world.

Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this that you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.” – Genesis 3:13

Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned. – Romans 5:12

Because of sin, Man was separated from God. Because of sin, Man was destined for an eternal separation from God, an eternal darkness.

In His desire to be reconciled with Man, with us, God gave the world a new hope:

Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. – Zechariah 9:9

The people who walked in darkness
    have seen a great light;
those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness,
    on them has light shone. – Isaiah 9:2

Hope came to this world as a baby who would one day sacrifice Himself to save mankind – breaking the bondage of sin – and reconciling us to God.

And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths and laid Him in a manger because there was no place for them in the inn. – Luke 2:7

And in the same region, there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger. – Luke 2:8-12

When they (the wise men) saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. – Matthew 2:10-11

Jesus is that promised hope. Our Light in a dark, sinful world.

“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” – John 8:12

But many will not embrace this hope.

The light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. – John 3:19

And many are blinded by the darkness and cannot see the Light.

And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. – 2 Corinthians 4:3-4

Today, our world is as dark as it was back in the days of Noah. People are lost in the darkness of sin, of misery, and without hope.  Life has little to no meaning for many. Many feel unloved and unworthy to be loved. Man’s heart has grown cold towards one another. The world is quickly spiraling into chaos and into the abyss that is the lair of our enemy.

Now more than ever, people need reminding of a baby born on Christmas Day who was sent to save us and to bring us out of this darkness and out of the maws of the devil.

We as believers must shine brightly this hope for the world to see. Let us not hide His Light.

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” – Matthew 5:14-16

Longing for light, we wait in darkness
Longing for truth, we turn to You
Make us Your own, Your holy people
Light for the world to see

Christ, be our light
Shine in our hearts
Shine through the darkness
Christ, be our light
Shine in Your church gathered today

(Song: Christ, Be Our Light)