John 1:5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
As the Christmas season approaches, I find myself yearning for its simple message of hope. A message proclaiming there is no brokenness too broken for God. There is no disappointment too devastating, no sorrow too deep, no sin too permanently engraved that his touch can’t fix.
The message of Christmas seems out of sync with the world today. War, despondency, and bitterness overshadow peace, hope and joy. In fact, the city of Bethlehem is dismantling all Christmas decorations this year in order to show solidarity with Palestinians. There’s “no room in the inn” or anywhere else in the town for commemorating the birth of Jesus.
So how long before the move to cancel Christmas spreads worldwide? Before we see memes of Keep the X in Xmas? That idea doesn’t seem as far-fetched as it might have a few years ago, does it. We ought not be naïve. Because the prince of darkness will go to any length to extinguish the Light of the World.
Ahhhhh, but he can’t.
No matter how dark Bethlehem’s streets become, the “hopes and fears of all the years” were met in that little town 2000 years ago. The most unlikely of births in the most unlikely of ways exploded onto the earth under the brilliance of an unlikely sky. It changed the world forever.
The book of John tells us Jesus was with God from the beginning, when darkness covered the formless, empty earth. He illuminated every dark corner of the universe. He brought life and light then, and he continues to do so today. Jesus remains “the true light, which gives light to everyone” (v.9). Everyone. That means you, and me.
So no matter what darkness we may be facing—in our personal lives or in the world around us—remember no darkness is too dark for the Light of the World. I pray this Christmas reminds us that nothing can destroy the light of hope he brings.
Let me leave you with words from what may be the least known verse of “O Little Town of Bethlehem. May it’s simple message reignite your hope this season:
Where charity stands watching
And faith holds wide the door
The dark night wakes, the glory breaks
And Christmas comes once more.