2. THE GIFT OF LIGHT

4. “…was life, and that life was the light of men
“…was life, and that life was the light of men. [But there’s more] the light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not [overcome] it…” (John 1:4-5)

5. For through Jesus “…all things were made…” (John 1:3); through Jesus we know the one true God, who now qualifies us “…to share in the inheritance of the…kingdom of light. For [through Jesus, God] has rescued us from the dominion of darkness [bringing] us into the kingdom of the Son he loves…” (Colossians 1:12-14).

6. Sure as John notes: though the world was made through Jesus, “…
Sure as John notes: though the world was made through Jesus, “….the world [in many cases] did not recognize [Jesus; the depression and darkness won]…”

7. “Yet” – John goes on to say
“Yet” – John goes on to say. “to all who did receive him, to those who believed his name, he gave the right to become children of God…” (John 1:12) – or in the fresh translation of Eugene Peterson, the opportunity “…to be their true selves, their child of God selves…” (John 1:12, The Message)

8. Realize: Not Everything That Shines Is Saintly

9. “…Satan… [often] masquerades as an angel of light…” (2 Corinthians 11:14)

11. “And the devil… showed [Jesus] all the Kingdoms of the world and their splendor… [But Jesus said] “Away from me Satan. For it is written ‘Worship the Lord…and serve him only.” (Matthew 4:8-10) And “…the devil left him” (Matthew 4:11).

12. “…angels [God’s angels] came and attended him…” (Matthew 4:11)

13. Walk In The Light, Basking In The Promises of God.

14. Isaiah 7:14 tells us that God in Christ will be “up close and personal,” Immanuel; indeed Christmas confirms: God in Christ is “up close and personal,” Immanuel. (Matthew 1:23)

15. Psalm 45:6-7 tells us that God in Christ will be anointed and eternal; indeed Christmas confirms: God in Christ is anointed and eternal (Luke 1:33)

16. Isaiah 9:1-2 tells us that God in Christ will be a bright light, bringing light to His people; indeed Christmas confirms: God in Christ is a bright light bringing light to His people (John 1:4-5)

17. “…the people walking in darkness have [indeed] seen a great light” to quote Isaiah. “…On those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned…” (Isaiah 9:2)

18. To be precise: we must “…walk… [in]…the light…before the darkness overtakes [us]….” (John 12:35); translated: before we stumble and fall.

19. “…the man who walks in the dark does not know where he is going
“…the man who walks in the dark does not know where he is going. [So] put your trust in the light while you still have it so that you may become sons of light…” (John 12:36)

20. Send The Light, The Blessed Gospel Light

21. “…If we walk in the light as he is in the light we have fellowship with one another…” (1 John 1:7)

22. “…Jesus Christ laid down his life for us
“…Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And [so] we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. [To be precise] if anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need, but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children [of God, of Light] let us not love with words…but with actions…” (1 John 3:16-18)

24. For like Jesus, we’re called to “…lay down our lives for our brothers…” (I John 3:16); to not only walk in the light, but to share the light in tangible, enlivening ways. For Jesus “…was life,” John reminds us “…and that life was the light of men; all men, all women, even those tossed to the sidelines of life.