Our world is dark. This has always been true since the Fall, but over the past few years, the darkness has become increasingly prevalent and undeniable in Western culture. Once a place where the name of Jesus was celebrated at Christmas, we now find ourselves silenced and shamed into not speaking His name. Even the term “Christmas” is sometimes deemed inappropriate. Saying that word may offend someone who doesn’t believe in Jesus. We are told to remain silent, to replace it with “the holidays,” and the world becomes a little darker still.
At this time of year, we celebrate Jesus’ birth, yet our culture encourages us to forget about Him. To rejoice in what we have rather than in the greatest Gift—the Lord Jesus, the Word made flesh (John 1:14). Recently in Canada, it has been suggested that the Word of God is hateful, degrading, and intolerable. All of this leads to feelings of hopelessness, and it seems easier to hide our faith than to rejoice in Him.
How do we find joy? How can we escape feelings of despair?
The current cultural climate resembles that of Jesus’ birth. God had been silent—had not spoken through the prophets—for over 400 years. Those who knew God’s covenant promises in the Old Testament probably felt the darkness and hopelessness creeping into their souls. When would the Messiah come to set them free? Their need for a Saviour was tangible. The Roman Empire’s heavy hand oppressed God’s chosen people. The darkness deepened, and those promises seemed lost and forgotten. The world mocked and tried to silence them. I can imagine the faithful who held onto God’s promises felt isolated.
Then it happened—in the most unexpected way, through the most unlikely circumstances—the Messiah came to earth. He did not come as they envisioned or dreamed. He arrived as a helpless newborn, born to ordinary people with no rank or status. He was born in a cattle stall in the insignificant town of Bethlehem (Micah 5:2; Luke 2:4-7).
Jesus Himself stated why He came. He knew His purpose and lived intentionally with that in mind:
- He came to serve, not to be served—Mark 10:45
- He came to give His life—Matthew 20:28
- He came to seek and save the lost—Luke 19:10
- He came so that we might have life—and have it abundantly—John 10:10
- He came so that the world might be saved—John 3:17
The humility of Christ is unmatched. He left heaven’s perfection to dwell among sinners; He took on flesh, emptied Himself, and became a servant. Ultimately, He humbled Himself by giving His life for sinners (Philippians 2:5-8). Christ’s obedience to God’s will was perfect. Fully aware of what it would cost Him, Christ surrendered to His Father’s plan (Matthew 26:39).
Why did He do this? What motivated Him?—Love for you and me; love for all humanity.
Paul Tripp describes it this way: “Jesus was willing to be despised. He was willing to face rejection. He was willing to subject Himself to hatred and violence. He was even willing to have the Father turn His back on Him. Why was He willing to do all this? He did it willingly so that, as His children, you and I would be able to live in the hope and peace of knowing that no matter what we face in the human community, we are perfectly and eternally loved by Him.” (New Morning Mercies: A Daily Gospel Devotional, December 12, Paul David Tripp)
Friend, whatever impossible, dark circumstances you face this Christmas season, know that God sees you, He is with you, and nothing can separate His children from His unfailing love (Romans 8:31-39). He sent His Son to make a way for all of us to be reconciled to Him. None of us could work hard enough to earn God’s approval—Jesus did the work to redeem us from sin’s power (1 Peter 2:24; 1 John 2:2).
That’s why He came—to bring light into the darkness (John 1:4-5). Our circumstances change; loved ones disappoint us; our dependences fail; and we often let ourselves down—because we don’t live up to our own standards of goodness. In contrast, Jesus never changes. He is a constant source of light, peace, hope, and joy—at Christmas and all through the year.
So how do we respond—here, now, in a culture that feels increasingly resistant to Christ?
We do not respond by retreating in fear or hardening our hearts in despair. We respond the way Jesus did—by entering the darkness with humility, courage, and love. Christ did not come loudly or forcefully; He came faithfully. He came present. He came close.
This Christmas season, we are invited to respond differently. To resist apathy. To refuse silence born of shame or fear. To remember that light does not argue with darkness—it shines. When we speak the name of Jesus with gentleness, when we live with compassion, when we love sacrificially and serve quietly, we bear witness to the Light that has already overcome the darkness.
The world may feel darker, but the Light has not dimmed. Emmanuel—God with us—has come, and He is still at work. May we choose to live awake, hopeful, and courageous this Christmas. May we carry His light into our homes, our conversations, and our communities—not with anger or fear, but with the steady confidence of those who know how the story ends.
“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
—John 1:5