READ: JOHN 1:1-14; 2 CORINTHIANS 4:6-10; 1 JOHN 1:1-10

I wanted to go home. This walk was not such a good idea. Heavy grey skies, colorless bare trees, and even an angry crow glaring down at me quickened my pace. When would I finally see some light? The skies on that December twilight seemed especially dark—almost ominous. I grew weary of the darkness, and my eyes ached for light. Beauty. Color.

Finally, I got out of the woods, rounded the corner, and there was my Christmas tree, peeking out the window! It glowed with warmth and cheer. I nearly ran toward it. My eyes were hungry for light, color, brightness. I entered my apartment and shook off the gloom and shadow, leaving them out in the cold where they belonged.

When Jesus was born, when His presence arrived in the flesh, our gloomy world was altered forever (Luke 2:8-14). God, arriving as a tiny baby in Bethlehem, blazed into our world with a Light we had never known. He burst into our darkness, His presence lighting up the world.

Behold the contrast between the Light of God and the darkness of sin—and the pain and suffering all that sin produces. When He comes shining into our lives with the goodness of His pure love, our lives are changed, lightened, brightened. Because Jesus died and rose again to cleanse us of our sin, we can live in the light of His presence. In times when life feels bleak and hopeless, we can always draw near to Him, hurrying toward His warmth and basking in His glorious presence (James 1:17; 4:8). Even better than a Christmas tree on a grey, dark, December day. Today, in our darkness, Christ still breaks into the gloom of our lives. He comes where He is invited, and He is found by those who seek Him (Jeremiah 29:13). • Kristen Merrill

• Once we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we can know that God is always with us. He never leaves us, never abandons us. Though this world may seem pretty dark at times, there is always hope. Through Jesus’s death and resurrection, He has secured forgiveness for everyone who trusts in Him, and He promises to return one day and make all things new. As we wait for that glorious day, it’s important to remember God’s loving presence with us by spending time in His Word, in prayer, and with fellow Christians. What is one way you could focus on God’s presence today?

• If you’ve never put your trust in Jesus, or if you just want to know more about how He rescues us from darkness and brings us into the light (Colossians 1:12-14), check out our "Know Jesus" page.

Jesus spoke to them again: “I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows me will never walk in the darkness but will have the light of life.” John 8:12 (CSB)