One of the things that brightens up our lives during the Christmas season is seeing the beautiful lights used to decorate our homes and trees. We know those lights are most appreciated in the dark. Similarly, Jesus himself is the light that shines in the darkness. He shines in the darkness of our Iives and in the world. As we look at John 1:1-18, we will understand more fully what it means that Jesus is the light and what it means for our times of darkness.