"The Light of Christmas" (John 1:4-9)

John 1:1–9 NIV

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. 6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. 9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.

Jesus, the Eternal Word, is Life.

The Eternal Word possesses independent life.

John 5:26 NIV

26 For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself.

The Eternal Word provides all creation with life.

John 1:3 NIV

3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.

Colossians 1:16 NIV

16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.

Hebrews 1:2 NIV

2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe.

The Eternal Word provides his people eternal life.

John 1:12 NIV

12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—

John 5:24–26 NIV

24 “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life. 25 Very truly I tell you, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live. 26 For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself.

Jesus, the Eternal Word, is Light.

John 1:4–5 NIV

4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

The Eternal Word brought light into the darkness at Creation.

Genesis 1:3 NIV

3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.

The Eternal Word brought light into the darkness at his Incarnation.

John 1:5 NIV

5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

The Eternal Word brought the light that overpowered the darkness of sin and death.

John 1:5 NIV

5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

John 1:5 NKJV

5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

John 12:35 NIV

35 Then Jesus told them, “You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. Whoever walks in the dark does not know where they are going.

John 12:36 NIV

36 Believe in the light while you have the light, so that you may become children of light.” When he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them.

John 12:46 NIV

46 I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.

John 1:6–9 NIV

6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. 9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.

John 8:12 NIV

12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Main Idea: Jesus Christ is the eternal, Divine Word who created all things and came into the world to give life and light to all who believe.