The Light That Leads to Life
Photo image courtesy Pixabay
“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.” – Isaiah 9:2 (NIV)
Early, as I grieved, Christmas felt like a list of juxtapositions. I celebrated the birth of Jesus, but my child was gone. We connected with family members, but there was one missing. We opened gifts but felt guilty for moving on without Jonathan. Grief was front and center, yet I knew, because of scripture and experience, God would make a way. I was trapped in darkness, but I trusted God’s light would emerge.
Seeing the light took intentionality. On the first Christmas, I created a picture scavenger hunt for my family and friends, and the following year, I created an eye spy hunt. With each new Christmas, I witnessed the light of God in my sorrow, shared the reason for the hope that I have, and was encouraged. I display Jesus’ identity through joy because I have witnessed His light in my life.
Does the world seem pretty dark as you prepare for Christmas? Take heart. Jesus Christ didn't come when everything in the world was polished. He came in our desperate hour when our losses outweighed our gains and when the boot heel of our enemy was on our throats.
Israel was desperate for a Savior, and as God in Flesh took His first cry of humanity, He transformed grief into worship. Just like the first celebration, we can witness a great light this Christmas. Hope was born to the wise and the lowly, shepherds and kings, women and children, and the poor, sick, and needy. He was born in grief and raised us to new life through His love.
That love enables us to shape grief into a new story, acknowledging what we've lost and embracing what we've gained. I'm not suggesting a forced, fake happiness, but a love that bubbles up in your pain, not despite it. Pain, sorrow, loss, and suffering all dim in the light of God’s presence with us.
I now see:
· Lives encouraged
· God's presence with us
· Laughter is good medicine
· My kids comforted
· My family is growing in faith
· Love poured out to the downcast
· Souls saved from despair
· Hope shaped my grief into joy
It is my prayer this Advent that you find evidence of God’s presence in abundance. I don’t have to walk through grief in the dark and neither do you. Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, "I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won't have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life." (John 8:12, NLT) Out of the light of Christ, we find joy in every crevice of experience. Jesus is the light that leads to life. Follow Him and nothing we experience will be left in darkness.
Questions for Reflection:
- What are the ways God is showing his light in your circumstances?
- What are some ways God is using you to shine light into the lives of those around you this Christmas?
