Have you ever been around somebody that just lights up the room when they come into it? They just have this energy, this infectious joy that makes everything and everyone around them better and brighter. They are just so full of life.

That’s never been truer about anybody more than Jesus. The Gospel of John opens up by calling Jesus “the Word” and describes Him this way in chapter 1:1-5, 14, 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 were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it… And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

There in the womb of Mary, all of the fullness of God joined together with flesh to become baby Jesus. After He was born, nothing less than God in the flesh lay there in the manger. In Him was life, and His life was light to mankind.

In fact, we later read in John 3:16 that whosoever believes in Jesus would not perish, but would have everlasting life. Jesus’ life promises life to all who will believe in Him.

But what led God the Father to offer life to us through His Son Jesus? That same verse, John 3:16 tells us, For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

It was love. Love led the Father to offer us life through Jesus. He sent Jesus to take on flesh because He loves us. He sacrificed Jesus on the cross because He loves us. He raised Jesus from the dead because He loves us. And He invites us to trust in Jesus unto everlasting life because He loves us.

Merry Christmas! And thank God for light!