The light of the world

My latest newsletter article...


During the season of Epiphany, we celebrate light, beginning with the bright star that reveals Jesus to the nations, guiding the magi to worship this new king.

You may notice darkness and light as a recurring theme throughout the season’s lectionary texts. We have heard from Isaiah (9:2), “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.” Darkness and light are presented in contrast—despair and anguish vs. hope and joy.

As we know, Jesus Christ is the light of the world (John 8:12), the light no darkness can overcome (John 1:5). He is the source of hope and joy that breaks through the darkness of despair and anguish.

We will also hear Jesus tell his followers, “You are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14). How can this be—that both Jesus and his followers are the light of the world?

When we follow Jesus, we no longer walk in darkness, as Isaiah says, for we have seen a great light. Our lives are in Christ, the true light of the world. So the light of Christ shines within us, and we become the light of the world by reflecting that light to all those around us.

This season, may the light of Christ break into the dark corners of your lives, filling you with hope and joy!