Discover the Light: How Christmas Illuminates Our Darkest Moments
Adapted from: Into Our Darkness, Light Has Come - Christmas Eve 2025 Sermon by Sam Holm
Have you ever wondered why we decorate Christmas trees with twinkling lights every December?
Legend tells us that Martin Luther, the great reformer, was walking through evergreen trees one winter night about 500 years ago. As he gazed up through the dark branches at the brilliant stars above, he was reminded of the Bethlehem star—and the profound biblical theme woven throughout the Christmas story: darkness and light.
Inspired, Luther brought an evergreen tree into his home and placed candles in its branches. The light shining through the dark leaves became a living illustration of Christmas itself. But the real Christmas tree—the one that truly brings light into our darkness—isn't decorated with ornaments. It's the cross.
The World's Darkness Problem
The Bible opens with a striking image: "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep." Before order, beauty, or life existed, there was darkness.
God's first creative act? "Let there be light."
Yet humanity chose to walk away from that light. We've all done it—chosen to live life our way instead of God's way. John explained it this way: "This is the judgment that has come into the world: the people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil."
For centuries, the world waited in that darkness for the promise God made: a person who would light up the world.
When Light Broke Through
Then it happened. Jesus was born, and biblical prophecies literally came to light. The priest Zechariah proclaimed that "the sunrise shall visit us from on high to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death."
John, one of Jesus' closest friends, put it beautifully: "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."
When Jesus' parents brought him to the temple as an infant, a righteous man named Simeon declared, "My eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people, Israel."
Jesus himself later declared, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
Christmas is Jesus saying, "I don't want you to live in the dark. I'm here to light up your life—now and forever."
The Original Christmas Tree
But how did Jesus bring this light? Through another tree—the cross.
Jesus lived a perfect life, completely in the light, with no darkness in him at all. Then he went to that tree to take on himself the penalty we deserve for choosing darkness over light. As Peter wrote, "He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed."
The question is: Have you been healed? Are you walking in darkness, or do you have the light of life?
Your Light Shines Too
Here's the beautiful truth: Christmas doesn't end with a manger. It ends with a mission. Jesus said that if you have his light in your life, "You are the light of the world. Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven."
The light of the world came to you so it could shine through you to others.
Take Your Next Step
If you've never personally responded to Jesus as the light of the world, today can be your day. Confess that you've chosen darkness, believe Jesus died for you on the tree, and turn to follow him. Reach out to a local church community that can help you take next steps in living and loving like Jesus.
If you already follow Jesus, ask yourself: Are there areas of your life where you're still choosing to walk in darkness? Jesus wants to shine his light into every part of your life—and then shine through you to light up the world around you.
The Bible ends with this promise: "There will be no night there, no need for lamps or sun. For the Lord God will shine on them and they will reign forever and ever."
That's the hope of Christmas—light that overcomes darkness, now and forever.
Have you ever wondered why we decorate Christmas trees with twinkling lights every December?
Legend tells us that Martin Luther, the great reformer, was walking through evergreen trees one winter night about 500 years ago. As he gazed up through the dark branches at the brilliant stars above, he was reminded of the Bethlehem star—and the profound biblical theme woven throughout the Christmas story: darkness and light.
Inspired, Luther brought an evergreen tree into his home and placed candles in its branches. The light shining through the dark leaves became a living illustration of Christmas itself. But the real Christmas tree—the one that truly brings light into our darkness—isn't decorated with ornaments. It's the cross.
The World's Darkness Problem
The Bible opens with a striking image: "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep." Before order, beauty, or life existed, there was darkness.
God's first creative act? "Let there be light."
Yet humanity chose to walk away from that light. We've all done it—chosen to live life our way instead of God's way. John explained it this way: "This is the judgment that has come into the world: the people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil."
For centuries, the world waited in that darkness for the promise God made: a person who would light up the world.
When Light Broke Through
Then it happened. Jesus was born, and biblical prophecies literally came to light. The priest Zechariah proclaimed that "the sunrise shall visit us from on high to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death."
John, one of Jesus' closest friends, put it beautifully: "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."
When Jesus' parents brought him to the temple as an infant, a righteous man named Simeon declared, "My eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people, Israel."
Jesus himself later declared, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
Christmas is Jesus saying, "I don't want you to live in the dark. I'm here to light up your life—now and forever."
The Original Christmas Tree
But how did Jesus bring this light? Through another tree—the cross.
Jesus lived a perfect life, completely in the light, with no darkness in him at all. Then he went to that tree to take on himself the penalty we deserve for choosing darkness over light. As Peter wrote, "He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed."
The question is: Have you been healed? Are you walking in darkness, or do you have the light of life?
Your Light Shines Too
Here's the beautiful truth: Christmas doesn't end with a manger. It ends with a mission. Jesus said that if you have his light in your life, "You are the light of the world. Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven."
The light of the world came to you so it could shine through you to others.
Take Your Next Step
If you've never personally responded to Jesus as the light of the world, today can be your day. Confess that you've chosen darkness, believe Jesus died for you on the tree, and turn to follow him. Reach out to a local church community that can help you take next steps in living and loving like Jesus.
If you already follow Jesus, ask yourself: Are there areas of your life where you're still choosing to walk in darkness? Jesus wants to shine his light into every part of your life—and then shine through you to light up the world around you.
The Bible ends with this promise: "There will be no night there, no need for lamps or sun. For the Lord God will shine on them and they will reign forever and ever."
That's the hope of Christmas—light that overcomes darkness, now and forever.
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