Light and Life to All He Brings

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it… The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world… To all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:1,4,9,12-14

“This is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.” John 3:19-21

“Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’” John 8:12

Existing from the beginning, Jesus pulsed with divine life at God’s side in creation, when God spoke light into being and breathed life into man. At Christmas, Jesus came to embody the light of life on earth. He laid aside His heavenly glory in a segment of time to become the bridge by which we can approach holy God. Christ, through His death, resurrection, and ascension, is the only true Reconciler between God and man. When we receive His light and life by faith, we are tethered to Him forever. (Genesis 1:3; 2:7; Proverbs 8:27-31; John 14:6; Acts 4:12; Colossians 1:16; 1 Timothy 2:5-6)

Shall we join the angels and give glory to the King who gave His glory for us? We can do it with song, we can do it with speech. We can do it by offering ourselves and preferring others. We can do it by giving willingly of our time, resources, privacy, and wants. (Romans 12:1,10-11,13)

“Hark! the herald angels sing,
‘Glory to the newborn King:
peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!’
Joyful, all ye nations, rise,
join the triumph of the skies;
with th’angelic hosts proclaim,
‘Christ is born in Bethlehem!”

“Christ, by highest heaven adored,
Christ, the everlasting Lord,
late in time behold him come,
offspring of the Virgin’s womb:
veiled in flesh the Godhead see;
hail th’incarnate Deity,
pleased with us in flesh to dwell,
Jesus, our Immanuel.”

“Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings,
risen with healing in his wings.
Mild he lays his glory by,
born that we no more may die,
born to raise us from the earth,
born to give us second birth.” ~Charles Wesley (1739)

To the One who gives light to our darkness and life when we languish, how will we give glory anew that He deserves?

Incarnate Deity, fill me with Your Spirit. Prince of Peace, rule my heart. Sun of Righteousness, shine in and through me with Your heavenly light of life, so others can see and know You too as their glorious Reconciler and Savior.