Christmas Traditions
Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” John 8:12
During the Christmas season, it has become common to have lights out on people’s homes. Some cities have very elaborate light displays that are viewed by a great many people. Colorful, twinkling lights attract people of all ages. They shine and brighten the darkness.
Jesus declared Himself to be the light of the world. He came to bring light to a world covered in darkness. This world was shrouded in the worst kind of darkness that there could ever be. Each person was totally enveloped by the wickedness of sin and its curse. Sin’s consequence is eternal darkness apart from God. Mankind is naturally without God and without hope.
To this world of darkness and sin the Savior Jesus came. Jesus brought light, saving light. “In Him was the light of men.”(John 1:4) When we look at Jesus, we see the brightness of God, for Jesus is God. When we look at Jesus, we see the forgiveness of our sins, for Jesus came to die for sin. When we look to Jesus, we see our redemption from the eternal darkness of hell, for He Himself paid our ransom. When we look to the Christ-child, we see our eternal life, for His life of service to us went from cradle to grave and beyond. He arose and brought us Life! By believing in Jesus, we are living in the light and no longer in the darkness, for Jesus said, “He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”
The people that in darkness sat, a glorious light have seen;
The light has shined on them who long, in shades of death have been.
To hail Thee, Sun of Righteousness, the gath’ring nations come;
They joy as when the reapers bear Their harvest treasures home. Amen.
The Lutheran Hymnal 106:1,2