John 1:1-5 in the New Revised Standard version states: “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 came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.”
I have many favorite passages in the Bible. This is among the most favorite.
The gospel of John was written with the intent to appeal to the Greek intelligentsia. They enjoyed philosophical discussions, using metaphors and similes.
So John accommodated them, substituting Jesus Christ with “the Word.” John used language he knew would draw the Greeks into a discussion and better understanding.
The metaphors of “light” and “darkness” were used. Although not new concepts in describing good and evil, it was again a description of how the goodness of Christ shines in every circumstance in life.
“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.”
The celebration of Christmas is fast approaching. It is the day we recall with great joy the incarnation, the fulfilling of Immanuel – God with us, the coming of light into the world.
God saw the plight of humanity and realized something needed to be done – personally. So God came to this world in person through a tiny baby born in Bethlehem.
God brought true light into the world; light that brings joy and peace. This light shines everywhere when people are able and willing to see it.
More From the Pulpit articles: Additional Mark Broadhead articles
And no matter how much evil there is in the world the gift of God’s light can never be conquered.
After Jesus was born, Herod tried to have the baby Jesus killed. It failed. The light shone on.
The religious leaders sought numerous times to have Jesus arrested and thrown in prison. These plots failed. The light shone on.
Jesus was later crucified and killed. They thought they had won. But they had failed. He rose from the dead. The light shone on. And it still shines today.
Darkness can never conquer light. More darkness cannot be added to any situation to snuff out light. The only way darkness increases is when light decreases.
So remember this on Christmas Day, that God’s light came into the world through Jesus Christ. That light will always shine. If it seems to have dimmed, change your focus.
The light of Jesus Christ still shines brightly. You will see it when you look.
Merry Christmas!
The Rev. Mark Broadhead is pastor at Laurel Hill Presbyterian Church and First Presbyterian Church of Crestview.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: FROM THE PULPIT: Christ's light still shines today