The Central Moment

For many, Christmas isn’t always “the most wonderful time of the year”. Grief and loss can actually make it one of the most difficult—but you are not alone this Christmas. You don’t have to pretend everything is okay, but you shouldn’t feel hopeless either. God sees you, and he cares.

As John described, Jesus came into the world as the true light. And we know that his light can come into our own lives and illuminate whatever darkness and difficulty we may face. But as people who carry his light, what is our responsibility to those around us?

In addition to describing Jesus as “the word”, John described him as the true light that came into the world, and in that description, we see that his very nature overpowers and overcomes the overwhelming darkness in the world. That includes whatever you may be facing even today.

Matthew, Luke, and John all recount the birth of Jesus, but they do it in different ways. John’s account emphasizes the divine nature of Jesus in more theological terms than some of the other gospel writers. Today, we focus on John’s description of Jesus as the Word that became flesh.

The concept of Advent is an important piece of preparing our hearts for the second coming of our Savior and King. Advent is not a replacement for Christmas. Rather, it’s an anticipation that gives a more full picture, and provides a counterbalance to the secularization of Christmas in Western culture.

We were not made to live in isolation. Every human being needs to both love and be loved. This is from our creator God, who Himself is love. Created in his image he calls us to be secured, transformed, and filled with the deeply profound love that he has for us.

Life is more than functional biological existence. It is more than eating, sleeping and breathing. It is living in connection and communion with our Creator, the author of life. Lasting and sure hope is what Jesus came to give us and what can be found in him.

Joy is the flavor of life. It takes our human experiences from black and white and puts them in living color. Joy energizes life and strengthens our hearts. On the other hand, depression and despondency drain life of its vitality. That is why Jesus offers us his joy!

It’s been astutely observed that where there is no hope for the future there is no power for the present. Hope is the fuel of life, the energizing reason to keep going. But where can hope be found without the risk of being let down and disappointed if it doesn’t work out?  Let’s start with the God of hope!

Christians are sometimes mocked for believing in God because they need a ‘crutch’ to get through life, as if they were too weak and insecure to stand on their own feet. If so, those who mock ought to practice what they preach -- as if possessing a human adequacy that can control the uncontrollable, knowing everything, and needing no one.