Think about the last time your power went out. Maybe you knew the outage was coming. Maybe there were storms or Santa Ana winds. Maybe concerns for fires or an overloaded power grid created power outage alerts. You had time to prepare. You gathered the candles and flashlights because you knew what was coming.

But has your power ever unexpectedly gone out at night? Darkness surrounds you instantly, and you strain to see anything. Then, if you can’t find your phone, you begin the fun dance of wandering around in the dark. You try to find a candle or a flashlight—or your missing phone. Darkness can be absolutely debilitating, especially the kind that is so thick you can almost feel it.

That kind of darkness is what the people of God felt for 400 years when they went without a word from God. Throughout their history, God had always communicated with them—through prophets, kings, and other leaders. Then, suddenly, it was as if the lights were turned off. Unexpectedly, they were plunged into darkness—400 years of darkness.

Isaiah tells us that the coming of Jesus will be the light to end that darkness (Isaiah 9:2). Like turning on a light after you’ve been disoriented in darkness, Jesus’ entrance into this world changes everything. Isaiah writes this, “For to us a child is born, to us, a son is given…” (Isaiah 9:6). That son was God’s Son, sent to save us from our sins. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

Jesus came as a light to shine through the darkness. He pierced through centuries of uncertainty. He brought hope when it seemed all hope was lost. Jesus said of himself, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life” (John 8:12).

This Christmas season, you may feel alone. The season may look different for you. It may feel a bit darker than Christmases of your past. You might feel like you are wandering in the dark, stumbling around trying to find the light.

But Jesus, the Light of the world, is your light. He wants to guide you even in the uncertainty of this season. He is not silent. He is not distant. He is here to walk with you.

Today Pray: God, thank you that I am never alone. In the darkness, let me know the certainty of your Son’s light. And help me to shine the light of your love to others this Christmas! In Jesus’ name, Amen.