The Advent begins as our annual calendar ends. And yet, as we celebrate the coming of the Prince of Peace, the world has its share of battles.

The tensions within us seek to win our heart’s throne.

The divisions between us deepen as people are viewed by the color of their skin, their social media posts or their political affiliation.

Families struggle with past hurts and communities forfeit their power to make a difference for those in need. Of course, there are exceptions.

I hope you dwell in those spaces. And yet,

Christ’s love is bigger than life, no matter what life brings.

The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him.
John 1:9‭-‬10 NLT

True Light is a precious commodity. It illuminates our path and pierces the darkness. It helps us recognize what we’ve lost and what’s important.

And as we embrace the True Light, we see God.

This season is the most wonderful time of the year, because we’re reminded,

The Light of the world came because the world was broken.

Humanity was lost in the depravity of our sin. But when Jesus came, our search for a Savior was done.

And now, among bright lights, bargain deals and a bevy of feel good songs, we seek to enjoy the season. We should. As we celebrate Christ’s birth,

Halls deserve to be decked with boughs of holly.

A silent night may lead to needful reflection.

Joy came to the world in humble surroundings.

The Light of Christmas could have chosen to shine from a far.

But God came near and He still does.

His Light shines between the cracks of our divisions. It comforts heavy hearts with the reality of His love and pursues hearts that reject His awesome wonder.

His Light shines to inform us that without Him, life is laden with burdens we cannot carry and lies we cannot let go.

This Christmas, like every Christmas, is the gift of discovering the beauty of Immanuel. God is with us.

“Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son,and they will call him Immanuel,which means ‘God is with us.’” – Matthew 1:23 NLT

And when we live life with Him, it brings a unending sense of hope for the heart and joy to the soul.