Snow burst into the gloomy, dark, cloudy day after Thanksgiving. My husband and I agreed, “The first thing we must do today is to fill our home with Christmas lights, in a way we’ve never done before.” We gathered every dusty old light we could find, he replaced bulbs and batteries, and we lit the house!
I guess we were seeking to banish the darkness and gloom of our wintry days to come.
Or perhaps, the darkness of this year’s suffering.
The ancient hymn played on repeat in my heart, beckoning me to rejoice in Jesus Christ, our always-present Light.
Let’s come before Him in praise and prayer, asking Him to turn the darkness of our suffering toward His light.
Jesus Christ is the Bright and Morning Star
O come, O Bright and Morning Star
Lord, You tell us that Jesus was born…
Father, with each sunrise this Christmas season, please remind me of the Son breaking into this dark world from His glorious home. By Your tender and compassionate mercy that made me Your child, remind me of Your new mercies given to me with each morning’s sunrise.
Jesus brings us comfort with promises of His Word
and bring us comfort from afar!
Let your steadfast love comfort me according to your promise to your servant (Ps. 119:76 ESV).
For you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me (Ps. 23:4 ESV).
Emmanuel, Your steadfast love took You to the cross in my place and You’re alive, guiding and protecting my life with Your presence. Please give me Scriptures to remind me of Your promises, comfort me today, and help me to continually trust You.
Jesus Christ turns our darkness into light
Dispel the shadows of the night
and turn our darkness into light.
(“O Come, O Come, Emmanuel,” 12th c., trans. J. M. Neal, 1851)
![[Jesus came] to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace (Lk. 1:79 ESV).
light of Jesus Christ gives light to me as I suffer](https://i0.wp.com/laurihogle.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Lk.-1-79.png?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me (Ps. 23:4 ESV).
I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life (Jn. 8:12 ESV, emphasis added).
Holy Spirit, with every candle I see, remind me of what Jesus did for me through His death and resurrection. Help me remember eternal life, knowing You’re with me now and always. Please remove my anxieties and replace them with Your peace.
Looking to the light of Jesus Christ and the hope of His promises
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it (Jn. 1:5 ESV).
For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble. But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing it is wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall (Mal. 4:1-2 ESV).
Lord, in escalating darkness, help me remember that Your kingdom plan culminates in a forever-restored world for those who are Yours. Because of Your victory over sin and death on the cross, You will never be overcome by evil. You’re carrying Your believing children on a journey to the new heaven and earth where we live with You! With each Christmas light I see this week, please remind me of Your glorious hope.
Shine Your light through my suffering that others may see Your light
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light (1 Pet. 2:9 ESV).
Lord, one single flickering light dispels darkness. Even if it’s a weak lightbulb, it’s powerful enough to make darkness disappear. How this dark world needs the light of the gospel right now. As I suffer, help me to walk as a child of light who proclaims what You’ve done for us in Christ. Guide me to discern what’s pleasing to You each moment so I can burn brightly, by Your grace. In the name of Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior, amen.
A Christmas playlist to worship Jesus Christ, the Light of the world
When darkness threatens to overcome, singing Scriptural truth to the Lord in prayer has been His powerful gift when I’m suffering. Why? Music has inherent properties that help us remember lyrics and singing especially fills our whole body, emotion, mind, and soul! This week, I’ve made a Christmas music playlist to remind us of Jesus and His powerful light. It’s a playlist to exalt Him as the light of the world, helping us each put on the armor of light, in this battle that suffering brings. If you’d like a playlist, sign up here and it will come to your email!
1 Comment
Sandra Arbeni · December 14, 2021 at 4:51 am
The Lord has turned my darkness into light.
Just now I was looking out of our picture window and I saw the most beautiful rainbow. The funny thing is, that it hasn’t rained today nor last night. Even though it wasn’t s complete rainbow, it’s actually the second one in December.
What a glorious reminder of Biblical truth.
Yes, He has turned my darkness into light.
Comments are closed.