Waiting for the Light to Come

Practically, the world was still in darkness on the night before Jesus' birth, awaiting the Messiah. In reality, Jesus was still hidden within Mary’s womb in darkness, waiting to be revealed.

Mary’s journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem to birth the Saviour was probably a four day journey – it is about 133 kilometres. This journey was not an easy one! On Christmas Eve we commemorate their journey from beginning to end for his parents and for the world – waiting to see the Messiah revealed.

For God So Loved

The birth of Jesus is the greatest expression of the love of God - that the Father would send the Son, that the Son would humble himself to be born a man, by the power of the Spirit coming on a Jewish girl.

It was God’s love for us that caused him to send his Son to earth (John 3:16), and it was Mary’s love for her God that she said yes to carrying the promise. In Luke 1 God sends Gabriel to announce the plan to Mary. Imagine this moment; this girl engaged to be married is told that God has chosen her to carry the Son of God. What an incredible and life changing moment for this young girl. What a step of faith! It was Mary’s love for God that gave Mary the courage to say yes to what was about to happen to her. She was about to be rejected by her fiancé, Joseph (God had to send an angel to fix this situation in Matthew 1:18-25) and rejected by those around her for being pregnant and unmarried.

Yet she carried the promise of God in her womb, through the trials and tribulations, through the doubts and fears - the journey was not easy but remember the promise that Gabriel gave her, “For no word from God will ever fail.” (Luke 1:37)

So, while Mary and Joseph were waiting for a baby to be born; for the child to be revealed out of the darkness of Mary’s womb, the world was waiting in darkness for the Light to come. This light, the light that shines in the darkness, is Jesus.

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” - John 8:12

Prayer Point:

Heavenly Father, thank you for your word that never fails. Today we pause to remember and celebrate the birth, the life and the victory that Jesus brought us. Thank you for giving us your Son as a baby, for showing through his life how deeply you understand the human condition and in your great love you made a way to bring us back to you. Amen.