Christmas and the New Creationনমুনা

The Light of the World

Old Simeon had been waiting. For years, his eyes had longed to see the fulfillment of a promise — that he would not die before beholding the Savior. When Mary and Joseph entered the temple with the Child, Simeon took Him in his arms and declared: “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.” (Luke 2:29–32, NIV).

That Child was the light foretold by Isaiah — not just for one nation, but for all nations: “I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.” (Isaiah 49:6, NIV). In Jesus, by His grace, God once again rekindled the brightness of creation. The light that, in the beginning, separated day from night now took on flesh and dwelt among us. Christmas is the dawn of the new creation.

The Christ who shone in the temple is the same One who illuminates the paths of human life — art, science, politics, culture — revealing that no sphere of existence lies beyond the reach of His redemption.

Simeon saw what many could not: the Messiah did not come to flee from the world, but to restore it. In his arms, he held the God who engages with matter, sanctifies time, and makes history the stage of divine glory. That Child was God’s answer to the darkness of the world.

When we look to Christmas, we are invited to share that same hope — to live as those who have already seen the Light. Christ, the Light of the world, continues to kindle sparks of grace amid humanity’s night.

Look to Christ, the Light who came to restore all things. Ask the Holy Spirit to empower you to live as one who has seen that Light — engaging the darkness with hope and purpose — so that every act of justice, beauty, and reconciliation in your life might proclaim the dawn of the New Creation.

Author’s Note:

This devotional was written by Medson Barreto, cofounder of Vitral Podcast, a Brazilian Christian initiative dedicated to fostering dialogue between faith and culture. Through themes such as art, philosophy, theology, and society, Vitral seeks to form believers who think deeply about culture through a biblical lens.