Last night I completed putting up all my Christmas lights. My house looks like it could be part of a home from the movie A Christmas Vacation! This is one of my favorite things to do all year. I enjoy decorating the outside of our house in anticipation of the holidays. This year it took me a little longer because other personal tasks took precedence. But, my Christmas is now “lit”!

Christians celebrate Christmas once every year as a holiday. The Christmas season is a celebration of the hope, peace, love, and joy we have found in Christ. As a matter of fact, traditionally church liturgy observes the four Sundays before Christmas highlighting certain themes through the lighting of candles. We call it advent, which means “coming.” It is the celebration of Christ coming into our world as the light of the world. We do it to celebrate his first coming as we also look forward to his second coming.

The celebration of Advent has certain themes. Such themes are not uniformly agreed upon. However, one word appears in the majority of them: JOY. The word joy is primarily drawn from a dialogue between an angel of the Lord and some shepherds, “But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people” (Luke 2:10). What’s interesting is that the word “joy” also appears in the narrative of John’s birth (Luke 1:14). Further, it also appears twice again in the Gospel according to Luke birth narratives: 1) joy is shared by Elizabeth’s neighbors for the birth of her child, and 2) when Mary and Elizabeth meet together, Mary states that Jesus “leaped for joy” in her womb at Elizabeth’s greeting.

Why is joy such a significant theme surrounding Jesus’ birth and his coming? The reason = darkness! The Greek word skotos, “darkness,” stands in opposition to the word phos, “light.” The word darkness appears at the beginning of the Gospels (Matt 4:16; Luke 1:19; and John 1:4; 5; 7; 8; 9). Matthew 4:16 says, “The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.” And John writes, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” The basic premise? Jesus is the light! In light of this (pun intended), it makes sense why advent involves the “lighting” of candles.*

Now, have you ever tried looking into a light bulb or the sun? It’s not very pleasant. It hurts. But Jesus is different. Jesus’ light is like Christmas lights that are pleasant to look at and bring delight (pun intended again). Though I do not recommend that any of us look into a light bulb, spotlight, or the sun, there’s another light that we should look at, namely Jesus! The world is full of darkness. Darkness is found in the wicked hearts of mankind. Darkness is all around us in the form of all kinds of evil. That’s why Jesus had to come. To overcome all that is evil and dark. And that’s why we should look at Him! Especially during this season of celebration as we remember his incarnation.

Sadly, some are comfortable with darkness. Some even like it! John puts it this way, “And this is the judgment: The light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil.” But this must not be so! “Lighten” up! Look at the light … Jesus is ready to transform you, give you life, give you hope, give you joy. Your joylessness is the consequence of the darkness of sin in the world. Christmas is an offer of joy as we are invited to look at the light, Jesus! John 1:4 states, “In him was life, and the life was the light of men.” Why settle for darkness when your life can be completely changed and made whole in Christ?!!

The truth of Christmas is that light came: “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” The incarnation of Christ is the greatest gift any of us could ever receive, and it comes in the form of a baby announced during the night time, but guided by a star that lit up the sky leading the magi to Him from far away.

His light shines bright till today. Such light is full of grace and truth. Such light gives life. Such light has provided us with God’s forgiveness. Such light has brought us peace. Such light has saved us from darkness. Such light has and still brings great news of great joy!! Look into it! Look at Him and be blessed!

Merry Christmas!

*Side note: The lighting of candles also has historical precedence in Judaism. Around Christmas time, the Jewish people celebrate their freedom from Greek oppression in the 2nd century BCE by lighting the menorah, a lampstand usually placed within the Temple, which was their main place of worship. This celebration involved freedom from oppression and darkness. For more info visit: https://www.christianpost.com/voice/the-meaning-of-hanukkah-the-miracle-of-light.html

Written by Daniel Messina