In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 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.

-- John 1:1-5

Every single person faces darkness from time to time. Whether it's the darkness of failure, the darkness of sin, or if it's the darkness of sorrow, it's clear that darkness is all around us. And we wonder: Will the darkness conquer? Will the night win? Will these dark days prevail?


But because of Jesus Christ, the answer is no! His light has come into the world and shone in our hearts. And because of Christ in you, there's hope and there's life! This same Christ is coming again with the glory of the Father and the holy angels to set all things in order. He is the King of kings and the Lord of lords!

Yes, the world is in darkness. intellectual darkness, political darkness, moral darkness. But we who once sat in that darkness have seen a great light.

That night when Jesus was born, when God became a baby, when the infinite became an infant, the light of God came and dwelt with us. The smile of God was in that baby's creased and dimpled chin. God's arms reaching out to the world were in his tiny little fingers. And the love of God was wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.

Jesus, the Light of the world and the hope of all humanity, was born. And that's the greatest gift of all.

Merry Christmas!

GOD'S GREATEST GIFT WAS GIVEN IN THE PERSON OF CHRIST WHO IS THE ONLY TRUE LIGHT IN THIS DARK WORLD.