What a difference long sunny days make to us.  We tend to feel better, more upbeat, lighter and freer than we do in the dark wintry days.  Indeed, many people suffer from SAD syndrome during the dismal, short days of mid-winter.

A recognised treatment for this condition is light therapy.  Christmas could be thought of as light therapy – God’s light therapy for humanity.  One of the ancient prophecies concerning the birth of Jesus says:  ‘The people walking in darkness have seen a great light’ and the result of seeing this is described as ‘increased joy’.

Was this great light the star that led the wise men to Bethlehem?  Was it the angels, who appeared to the shepherds ‘keeping watch over their flocks by night’?  No, it was neither of these.  They were just signs pointing to a far greater light.

The Apostle John says this about Christmas:  ‘The true light that gives light to every person was coming into the world’.  The one born at that first Christmas was the great light.  This was a life-changing moment in the history of humanity.  Hereafter all people could have a clear, well-lit path to God.  As Jesus himself later said:  ‘Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life’.  This is the greatest Christmas present ever and it is freely available to everyone. 

How does one receive such a gift?  Before we answer that question, maybe we should ask:  Why God would offer us such a gift?  Alternatively, we could ask:  Why did the ‘true light that gives light to every person’ come into the world?

Many centuries ago humanity lost the plot and chose to reject God’s good purposes and live independently of God.  As a result we all ended up in deep spiritual darkness, so dark, in fact, that it totally engulfed humanity.  God, however, did not want us to remain in such a condition, which is why he sent the ‘true light’ into the world.

Jesus alone is this ‘true light’.  Many others over the years have claimed to be the true light but they are at best imitation lights giving false hope, leaving their followers in their original darkness.  Jesus, however, frees people from darkness, lighting the way back to God and enabling us to live life as God always intended.

Where are you today?  Have you received God’s great gift of ‘true light’ or do you remain in deep darkness?  The gift is still available to all who ask.  This is God’s promise.  Do not hesitate – ask God to give you this light today.  

"For God so loved the world that He sent His only Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16

The number one way to keep Jesus in your Christmas celebrations is to have him present in your daily life. If you're not sure what it means to become a believer in Christ, check out this page on Becoming a Christian