Letting the Light of Jesus Shine in Our Hearts This Christmas

The light of Jesus reveals truth, exposes darkness, and guides us to redemption through Him, the true light of the world.

“This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to
you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.”
1 John 1:5

If you looked in my kitchen window right now, you’d see tiny twinkling lights tucked everywhere for the Christmas season.

They’re wrapped around the red and white floral tea cups above my coffee bar, into the greenery on my window sills, among garlands on my mantels, and over my doorway.  They’re set on timers so they glimmer their kindly glow as the day starts to fade around me during the dark December afternoons in New England.

In the Christmas story, heavenly light illuminated a dark hillside as the angel announced the coming of Jesus to shepherds minding their sheep (Luke 2:10). These were no calming twinkle lights, but a sudden shocking brightness. Imagine what a jolt to the eyes that flash must have been. It caused fear, but it was intended for joy:  “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”

The Purpose of Light

Some lights are calming, like Christmas lights or firelight. Some lights are shocking, like my lighted make-up mirror that exposes imperfections that are already there, but I couldn’t see. 

The Apostle John tells us that “that God is light and in him is no darkness at all.” God is holy. God is truth. And God cannot lie. There is no dark side to Him. He is perfect, sinless, transparent, pure, nothing to hide, free from all evil. 

God’s Word is referred to as  a lamp for our feet and a light for our path. The light of God’s word informs. It reveals dangers. It exposes reality and hidden danger. 

When we encounter this Light, we can either hide from it, or believe what it reveals to us. The light of the gospel shines into our darkness, exposing our unseen imperfections and illuminating how short we’ve fallen compared to God’s perfection. By God’s law is the knowledge of sin. (Rom. 3:20) The Bible tells us that many hide from the Light because their deeds are evil and they don’t want to be exposed or examined. Others respond to the Light by repenting and believing the truth.

The light is not meant to terrify, but to lead us, and show us the danger of our fallen state; to point us to Christ.

In His Word

Isaiah 9:2 – “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.” ESV

John 8:12 – “Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.”NASB1995

John 12:36 – “Believe in the light while you have the light, so that you may become children of light.”

In Your Life

As you prepare for Christmas, remember that your response to the Light is of utmost importance. Will you accept what the Light shows you? Or will you reject it because you prefer not to know? 

When Jesus began His earthly ministry, God would first use John the Baptist to repeat Isaiah’s words to prepare the way of the Lord. 

The Christmas story presents three faithful women who had done just that: prepared in their hearts a highway for our God. 

• Elizabeth, the wife of Zechariah, was “righteous before God walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord.” Luke 2:6
• Mary submitted her life and will to God responding, “ Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.”
• Anna, the elderly widow, “did not depart from the temple, worshipping with fasting and prayer night and day.” (Luke 2:37)

These women believed God and walked in the Light, taking God at His Word.

And we have that same opportunity..

When life is dark and discouraging, when we are heartbroken or fearful, God’s light brings clarity and direction to our decisions. He wants His women to trust and follow Him in obedience knowing that He is lovingly leading us into paths of freedom and righteousness.

He came to redeem, restore, and heal. 

Jesus Christ is  “the true light that gives light to everyone” (John 1:9). He offers us salvation and came down to us to redeem us because we could never climb or claw or work our way out of our own sin or up to heaven. The Baby in the manger was on a mission to save us from sin. 

Though it may be uncomfortable to let the Word of God reveal places we need to change, don’t be afraid to let His Light shine in and like a 10x magnification lighted make-up mirror,  show you the truth about yourself.  

The Bible is given to guide us, transform us, and show us the goodness and love of God.  Can we take a moment to prepare our hearts to let that light in?

Would you purpose like Mary, Elizabeth, and Anna, to walk in the light? May we submit to God’s leading, obey His word, and worship Him wholeheartedly because He is the way, the truth, the life, and the true light that shines brightly in this weary old world.

We Recommend

Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus: Experiencing the Peace and Promise of Christmas by Nancy Guthrie. Twenty-two devotional readings by historic and contemporary authors to help you prepare your heart during the Christmas season.

If You’re Missing Baby Jesus by Jean Gietzen. A sweet children’s story that can be read in one sitting about how one family shared the love of Jesus with a family in need.

Let’s Connect

Sarah Beals is a wife, mother of six, and grandmother of 7. She lives in beautiful New England and writes about Christian living, home education, hospitality, and creative pursuits at Joyfilleddays.com and on Instagram.