If you have ever walked in the dark, you will know how easy it is to lose your way. There are no visible reference points so it can be confusing. You can find yourself overcome with fear, not knowing what surrounds you.  The daily news presents rapid social change, governments in crisis and human tragedy resulting in chaos, uncertainty and pain. It can be a shadowy, dark world, and this is where so many people find themselves – desperately struggling to find their way in the dark.

Hundreds of years before Jesus’ birth, the prophet Isaiah spoke of a world in darkness,

“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.” (Isaiah 9:2)

That great light is Jesus. At the heart of our celebration of Christmas is the wonder that when Jesus came to us in human form, light pierced the darkness and everything changed.

The Christmas story is a message of light, that pushes the darkness aside to see Jesus in the spotlight. His presence turns the light on, bringing with it clarity, hope, joy and peace. Maybe this year you have been trying to navigate your journey through dark and shadowed places and spaces. Know that God loves you and gave His Son, Jesus, who in His own words, is ‘the Light of the World’; the One who can bring light into the darkness and heaviness of life. Allow Him to shine His light on you, so you discover His heart towards you, and then, allow Him to help you shine for Him and be a light to others.

My prayer is that this Christmas you will encounter and experience the love and light of the world – Jesus.