The Light of Christmas, part 4

We have already established, in previous blogs, that the Light of Christmas is Jesus, and  Jesus is the light of the world.  Now -- in the beginning, God said "let there be light," and there was light” (Genesis 1:3).  John the gospel writer recorded: In Him was Life, and the Life was the Light of men ... And the Light shines on in the darkness, for the darkness has never overpowered it (John 1:4-5 AMP). John also recorded in 1 John 1:5 -- This is the message we have heard from Him and declare to you: God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all.

Yet, there seems to be so much darkness -- darkness in people, places, things, circumstances, situations.  We have the Word which is the truth; and we have so much of life which is presented as the facts of the matter.  On which do you focus? Is it on the truth or on the facts of the matter?

Headlines -- blaring at you, up in your face -- from a recent Birmingham News edition:  Gate City Explosion ... Accused Chelsea school gunman remains in jail ... Apartment fire suspect in custody ... Victim identified in fatal fire at barber shop ... Homeless man dies from hypothermia ... 2 charged in holdup of CVS pharmacy ... Man dies after crashing into utility pole ... Girl Scout slain in cellphone theft missed by loved ones ... . 

Has darkness taken over?  So what really is the truth?  God is light.  Jesus is the light of the world.  You are the light of the world.  Therefore, you must declare more loudly, speak more boldly, state more clearly, walk more uprightly, let your light shine more brightly.  Why? Because Jesus commanded you to "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 5:16).