The Darkness Has Not Overcome

 When I reached my teen years and became passionate about following God and seeking to know Him, God began to do something each year of my life.  Each year since then as I've taken time to reflect on the Christmas story God has brought a different aspect of the story to life for me. There are so many amazing different components of  how Jesus came to earth and how the story of redemption began that night!  I love that God sent angels to the shepherds, the common people of the day.  I love that God chose Mary, a humble young woman who found favor in Gods eyes!  These are just a sampling of the story of the birth of our Savior.

This year there especially seems to be a couple of common themes that keep coming up in my daily life.  This blog will be "part 1" of a two part Christmas blog. Both themes are meant to encourage anyone on this journey in life that seeks to follow after Jesus.

As this world becomes more and more evil it just feels like we are living in dark times.  You surely must feel it too, when you turn on the news or read the paper. There is no doubt that evil is out there. But thank God for His gift! “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 ‭NIV‬‬

Jesus came to live a holy life in order to be the sacrifice for our sin.  Because He lived with no sin, He alone could pay the price that would save all who accept His gift of forgiveness! He came to bring Light to the world! John say's it this way, “In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
‭‭John‬ ‭1:4-5‬ ‭NIV‬‬
The last part of verse five grabs my attention!  " . . . and the darkness has not overcome it"
Yes this world is full of darkness but the darkness has not overcome the Light!
Now is the time to shine!  Now, as evil is on the rise, we who claim the name of Christ have the opportunity to shine all the brighter!

How do I do that? By taking time to reflect on God and the things He's done in my life.  Prayers that He has answered, His power to hold our marriage together, giving us a son, daily provisions, friends who help and encourage, these are just some of the  things I see my Gods' hand involved in our lives. God somehow shines His light through us when we seek Him in quiet time by reading His word and talking to Him in prayer.  He shines in us when we choose to do what's right, even when everyone else is doing what's wrong.  He shines when we choose thankfulness instead of complaining.  He shines through us when His Joy sustains us even in or especially in the hard times!

Jesus, simply and honestly, as I prepare my heart for Christmas, may this triumphant story of how you came and brought  light into this dark world remind me to keep my light burning bright!