“Light of the world, You stepped down into darkness,
Opened my eyes, let me see
Beauty that made this heart adore You,
Hope of a life spent with You.”
—Lyrics by Chris Tomlin
Recently I traveled south for a family funeral. As my wife and I rushed south, the driving conditions deteriorated rapidly. An ice storm raced in from the northwest, and fog settled upon the earth.
The result of converging weather events led to a tremendous darkness. As darkness enveloped my path, I noticed my stress level began to soar. Roads were icy, and I could barely see where to go. I didn’t stop to check it, but I am certain that my blood pressure was elevated, and nervous tension attacked my usually easy-going spirit.
Along the journey, we saw some who had lost control … an eighteen-wheeler lay on its side with emergency vehicles all around. I silently voiced a prayer in the hour of my concern, “Lord, we sure could use a little light.”
This Christmas, the cultural winds of change seem to be sweeping over the land we call home. Political tensions have stressed our civility. Mass shootings dominate the news. Concerns with terrorism have become commonplace, and faith in God has come under attack. If you feel like this world has become a very dark place, you are not alone.
This Christmas, I am praying that God in His infinite mercy will once again shine the Light upon the earth. It does my heart good to remember that God is in the business of lighting our darkness. When it seems there is no hope, God shows up, and in an instant we receive a new perspective.
God said, “Let there be light, and there was light.” God can illuminate your path.
Sometimes that light comes when we read Scripture. Psalm 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” If your world is dark right now, open your Bible and read God’s amazing love story!
At Christmas we celebrate that Jesus IS the Light of the world. Take a few moments and read John 1:1-14.
“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…
“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” (excerpts from John 1).
I am going to share the Light of Christ this Christmas, because this world seems really dark right now.
Many have lost their way. Some have crashed and are broken.
“This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.” Come Christmas, come!
Mark Adcock is pastor of New
Life Christian Fellowship in Fortville.
This weekly column is written by local clergy members. Send comments to
