God Is With Us: Jesus Is The Light And Life For The Whole World

Not every Christian looks forward to Christmas. Pressure to embrace festive fun can jar with the realities we're facing.

And more widely, we see suffering throughout the world. We see the daily struggles caused by global food shortages and the cost-of-living crisis pushing more than 9% of the world’s population into poverty, as the World Bank Group reported. That, along with natural disasters, conflicts, and climate change, may feel like the darkness has overcome.

John 1 reminds us that Jesus is light

When Jesus was born, there was also darkness in the world. There was poverty; there was danger. His own parents had to flee for his protection.

Jesus’ death and resurrection have conquered sin and death, but the full outworking of salvation will only happen when he returns. Until then, we'll experience sorrow and pain and death.

But the darkness has not overcome!

On many houses, Christmas lights will shine out against the darkness—the darkness can’t overcome their brightness. What a wonderful picture of how Jesus, God’s light, shines in our dark and broken world.

John 1 reminds us that Jesus is life

Light is vital for life on Earth. Our plants need the sun's light to grow. Animals and humans need the oxygen plants produce to breathe. Without the sun’s light, the Earth would become so cold it would cease to be habitable.

Jesus is described in those terms: his light gives life. Anyone who trusts in Jesus can look forward to eternal life with God. But Jesus also wants us to enjoy life now! ‘I have come that they might have life and have it to the full,’ Jesus says in John 10:10.

As seven-year-old Compassion participant, Deilismar, from Venezuela says, “We know that God is the light of the world. Despite all the needs we're facing, he’s never going to leave us.”

Through Jesus, God intervenes to help us in our suffering. Even in the midst of life’s hardships, God is with us!

Prayer: Dear Lord, as we look at the festive lights this Christmas, pushing back the darkness, encourage our hearts to remember Jesus, the true light who came into the world as our Immanuel—God with us. Thank you that you give us comfort for today, and hope for all eternity. Amen.

We hope this devotional series has encouraged you. Find out more about Compassion UK by visiting compassionuk.org