Jesus is the Light

Have you ever been lost, driving down a pitch-black road? The streetlights fade behind you, and the only thing you can see is the narrow path your headlights touch. The darkness feels heavy and probably scary. The only thing to do is blast your brights and hope they shine enough to bring you home.

That deep longing for light is something people have felt since the very beginning.

When God created the world, He said, “Let there be light.” He didn’t just make light — He is light. But when Adam and Eve disobeyed, everything changed. Sin entered the world, and people began to hide from God instead of walking with Him. Life became filled with darkness.

It doesn’t take much to feel the weight of darkness today. Every day we see new headlines of heartbreak and division, and hope can feel like a single candle struggling to survive the wind.

Yet God didn’t leave Adam and Eve in darkness, and He has not left us either. Time and again, He has shown up to bring light and hope.

When He rescued His people from Egypt, He led them through the desert with a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. The fire illuminated their path, showing them the way forward. Later, God’s people celebrated His guidance and protection with the Feast of Tabernacles.

During this festival, priests lit enormous lamps in the temple courtyard. Each lamp had four bowls of oil, and when all sixteen bowls burned, the city glowed in the night. Imagine standing there as darkness disappeared and warm light filled every corner.

Then, in that same spirit of light, Jesus stood and said in John 8:12, “I am the light of the world.”

When Jesus called Himself the Light of the World, He wasn’t promising a life without pain or confusion. He was promising something far greater: that even when you can’t see the way forward, He is the way forward. His presence doesn’t just expose what’s wrong — it reveals what’s possible.

The same light that guided God’s people through the wilderness is the light that can guide you through anxiety, uncertainty, and change. Darkness may whisper, but it doesn’t win.

Today, God is still saying, “Let there be light!” John’s words in John 1:5 sum up the Christmas season and give hope to a yearning world: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”

So when life feels heavy, remember you don’t have to find your own way through the darkness. You don’t have to create your own light. Just stay close to the One who is Light, and He will guide you home.

Take a moment to talk to God about these questions

• Where do you feel darkness? Maybe in your thoughts, friendships, or family?
• How can you let Jesus’ light into that part of your life?
• Who around you needs to see the light of Jesus through your kindness and love?

Let’s pray

"Jesus, thank You for being the Light of the world. Show me where I’ve been walking in darkness, and help me walk in Your light. When I feel afraid or sad, remind me that You are with me. Help me share Your light with others so they can know Your love too. Amen."

Now, let your light shine

Here’s something simple you can do this week to bring Jesus’ light to those around you:

Buy a few small candles or tea lights and attach a note that says:

“This Christmas, I’m celebrating Jesus, the Light of the world. He came to show us His love. I hope this light reminds you that you are never alone. Merry Christmas!”

Give them to neighbors, coworkers, or friends. You can even make it a family project!

Before or after you give the candle, say a short prayer for the person, that they will see Jesus’ light in their life.