It’s a bummer to be in the dark, isn’t it? Winter mornings before the sunrise can be dangerous in the bedroom before the light comes on. Who knows what you might bump into! It’s even more difficult at night, isn’t it, when you are out in the country, no street lights, clouds covering the stars and moon?
However, when there is even a reflection of light at night everything brightens up. The moon, reflecting off the white snow on a cold night, is downright bright! Charles Wesley connects light and life in his carol to highlight the hope Jesus brings.
Darkness, spiritual darkness, is a much more lonely and dangerous place to be then it is to be in physical darkness. Our eyes can often adjust to physical darkness, light can often be found, or the sun eventually rises. Not so in spiritual darkness.
We cannot rid ourselves of spiritual darkness. God knew that. Jesus came to bring light and life. In him was life, and the life was the light of men (John 1:4). Jesus was the only one able to rid us of darkness and dispel the gloom of sin and death.
When we have his light, we rejoice! David rejoiced in the light.
- The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? Ps. 27:1
- For with you is the fountain of life; in your light do we see light. Ps. 36:9
I enjoy the joy of Christmas most of all. We are made to be joyful and to rejoice in this good news of great joy for all the earth. Don’t shy away from the joy that God provides for you in Christ. Relish the opportunity to rejoice with fellow believers this weekend as you worship. Sing with the angels, Glory to the newborn King!
I Commend Joy! 