You are a chosen people . . . that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

— 1 Peter 2:9

As a pastor and teacher, I have met with many people who have wondered, “What is God’s will for my life?” Many of us deeply desire to know where we belong and what our purpose in life is.

Peter describes God’s calling on us in terms of two movements. First, God calls us “out of darkness.” The reality is that we can’t see God’s purposes for us when we are caught up in the darkness of our own sin. God calls us out of the behaviors and perspectives that diminish the abundant life he offers to us through Jesus Christ.

Second, God calls us “into his wonderful light.” Jesus is calling us into a new way of life and a new identity that is characterized by a genuine, lavish love for our neighbors and enemies alike. We are called to “live such good lives” that people may see our actions “and glorify God on the day he visits us.” The light that God calls us into in Christ is not simply to help us see God more clearly but also to help people around us to recognize God’s goodness through us.

Our Christmas celebration is not simply about remembering Jesus’ birth. It is a radical calling to live throughout the year as people who share and shine the wonderful light of Jesus Christ in this dark world.

God, in your great mercy, lead us out of sin and darkness and into the light and life of Jesus Christ so that we and the whole world might praise you for who you are! Amen.