CHRISTMAS EVE MESSAGE
“The Light of the World” – Christmas Eve 2024
The entire Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, points to Jesus Christ. In the very beginning, after Adam and Eve's fall through disobedience, God promised that a Savior would come from Eve’s line. This Savior, Jesus, would defeat Satan and bring hope to the world.
Around 700 years before Jesus was born, the prophets Isaiah and Micah foretold His coming. Isaiah said, “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those living in deep darkness, on them light has shined” (Isaiah 9:2). He also prophesied, “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God with us’” (Isaiah 7:14). This child, born to us, is a gift—a gift of light and hope. Micah further foretold that this Son would be born in Bethlehem, Israel (Micah 5:2).
All of us know what it’s like to walk in darkness. Darkness can take many forms—loneliness, pain, grief, confusion, heartache—and these feelings often seem to be magnified during Christmas. Yet, Christmas reminds us that light has entered our world, both physically and spiritually. In the midst of darkness, there is a light that shines, and that light is Jesus Christ, born in Bethlehem.
In John 8:12, Jesus says, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” If you’re facing darkness in your life right now, remember that the light of Jesus is shining, and He will lead you out of it.
In A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, we encounter the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, a greedy, cold-hearted man who despises Christmas. One Christmas Eve, Scrooge is visited by the ghost of his former partner, Jacob Marley, who warns him that he must change or face eternal punishment. Scrooge is then visited by three spirits who show him his past, present, and future. Through these visits, Scrooge begins to regret his selfish life choices, sees the struggles of others, and realizes that he has been living in darkness—and must change.
On Christmas morning, Scrooge wakes up as a transformed man. He becomes kind, generous, and full of love, helping others and bringing joy to those around him. His transformation teaches us that the light of Christmas comes to shine upon our dark lives. And ultimately, that light leads us into hope, peace, joy, and love, bringing personal change at any time, even at the darkest of moments.
It is truly remarkable how one baby can change the course of history. Yet, one baby, Jesus, changed all our lives forever. “The light shines in the darkness,” and “the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:5). When the world needed Him most, Christ was born in Bethlehem. And often, it is in our darkest moments that we are most likely to see the light of Christ.
Christmas is a time for miracles. A light shines in the darkness, and a great company of angels appeared, praising God, saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom He favors” (Luke 2:14).
May this Christmas serve as a reminder of the light that Jesus brings into our dark lives. May Christmas fill us with hope, peace, joy, and love, today and always. Amen.
