The Light Has Come

Opening

We have been preparing these last four weeks of the Advent Season (Advent meaning arrival). It was the first of November when I began to see the first lights of the season. As the weeks went on the number of lights grew and grew and in culmination they have made our communities a much brighter place. Christmas lights bring the night alive with beauty and splendor. This is the evening we celebrate with these lights the brightest. We have watched the light grow with each week of Advent as we lit the candles around the Advent Wreath and tonight we light the Pascal Candle or the Christ Candle. Thus the light of the Wreath has reached its fullness for the nativity of Christ has arrived in the church. The birth of Jesus Christ— the Light has come.

Light in our World and God’s Story

Light is something we encounter every day. It wakes us in the morning, bathes the world in warmth, and draws the curtains on each day as the sun sets. Beyond its practical reality, light shapes our very existence—it nourishes plants, sustains ecosystems, and is fundamental to life itself. Yet, light also holds a deeper significance. It represents truth, clarity, and hope—a metaphor woven into the fabric of our faith to reveal God’s power, presence, and wisdom.

From the very beginning, light is central to God’s story with humanity. In Genesis 1:3, God speaks into the void, 'Let there be light,' and with that command, darkness is pierced, chaos is ordered, and life begins. Light becomes a symbol of God’s creative power and sustaining presence, a sign that wherever God is, there is life, hope, and clarity.

Throughout Scripture, light is a tangible representation of God’s intervention in human history. In the wilderness, God revealed Himself as a pillar of fire, guiding His people through the night (Exodus 13:21). At Mount Sinai, His glory radiated, so intense that Moses’ face shone after encountering Him (Exodus 34:29-35). Elijah, in his bold confrontation with the prophets of Baal, called down fire from heaven, showing that the God of Israel is the true and living God (1 Kings 18:38). Time and again, light signifies God’s presence, His power to save, and His commitment to guide His people out of darkness.

Then, in the Gospel of John, the ultimate revelation of light comes into view: 'In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God... In Him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it' (John 1:1-5).

This passage not only echoes Genesis but declares that Jesus Christ is the eternal Word and the true Light. He is not one of many lights, flickering and uncertain, but the Light—the source of life, truth, and salvation for all humanity. His light does more than illuminate; it transforms. It drives out the shadows of sin, reveals the path of righteousness, and offers the hope of eternal life.

When Jesus proclaimed, 'I am the Light of the World' (John 8:12), He invited all who hear to step out of darkness and walk in the brilliance of His life-giving truth. This Light, foretold by the prophets, is God Himself stepping into the world, bringing salvation to His people and offering us the gift of divine guidance, grace, and renewal.

The Promise Fulfilled

The people of Israel clung to an expectant hope, even as they endured centuries of silence. For 400 years, the voice of a prophet had not been heard—a time of divine “hiddenness” that left them longing for God’s promised intervention. Yet, even in this silence, their hope was not extinguished. The prophets of old had spoken of a Light that would pierce the darkness, a Savior who would bring deliverance.

Isaiah’s words echoed through the ages: 'The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness—on them light has shined' (Isaiah 9:2).

This was no ordinary hope; it was rooted in God’s faithfulness and the assurance that He would act in His perfect time. When Jesus finally stepped onto the scene and declared, 'I am the Light of the World. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life' (John 8:12), He was making an unmistakable claim. This was no mere teacher or miracle worker. He was not simply another prophet speaking truth or wielding power. He was, in fact, the Messiah—the long-awaited One who would lead His people out of darkness and into the brilliance of eternal life.

The Light Jesus offers does more than dispel the shadows. It embodies the very power and presence of God, breaking into our world to transcend and transform. It reveals God’s boundless love, exposing sin not to condemn but to redeem. It guides us toward righteousness and peace, showing us the way to live in harmony with God and one another.

This Light is not a fleeting glow or a temporary source of comfort. It is the everlasting, unquenchable flame of God’s salvation, offered to all who believe. As Isaiah foretold and Jesus fulfilled, the Light has come—and with it, the hope of redemption, restoration, and eternal life.

Application

It means we no longer walk in darkness. It means we are called to reflect this Light—to bring hope, joy, and love to those around us.The story of Christmas is about God and what God has done. What is it? What did God do? God interrupted human history and stepped into time to become our greatest gift. This gift was declared in the most amazing way possible. God used the stars and his angels to announce the GREATEST GIFT EVER— the gift of Light for all mankind. Let this light shine on you and within you as you receive the gift of Jesus Christ. He is for you. God for us. Emmanuel. God with us. The Light is here for all time.

This Christmas, as you see the lights on trees and homes, let them remind you of Jesus, the Light that has come down. Let them inspire you to live as children of the Light, sharing His love in a world still longing for hope.

The story of Christmas is ultimately about God’s incredible love. The Creator of the universe stepped into our brokenness, bringing light into the deepest corners of our lives. As Isaiah 60:1 declares, 'Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.'