Winter is the worst. The shorter days really put a cramp in my style. The sun hides, the air outside chills to the bone, and slowly my motivation to do anything beyond eat, sleep, and show up to work seems to dwindle to nearly nothing.
All this darkness gets me thinking about… darkness. You know, since most of our waking hours in the winter are without sunlight and that takes a toll. Darkness can affect our mental and even our physical state. It can stiffen us. We make fewer trips, spend less time with others, and allow some tasks to spend a longer than usual time on the to-do list. Things slow down quite a bit. And sometimes, the physical darkness even stirs anxiety or sadness.
That feeling of winter darkness brings to mind one of my favorite chapters in the Bible—John 1:
“1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In Him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
There’s so much wrapped up in these verses. John writes using the Greek term logos. In everyday Greek, logos meant “word” or “reason,” but in philosophy it meant something deeper: the rational power that ordered the universe or the divine principle that bridges heaven and earth.
John takes a concept that his audience already understood, the Logos, and he shows them its true fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He’s saying that this Logos has always existed, and that it isn’t just an idea but a Person. Jesus has always been with God, and Jesus truly is God. Through Him, the God who created everything steps close to us so we can know Him.
A lot of good stuff in the first three verses!
Going further, we also have a whopper. “In Him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.” Jesus doesn’t just create life, He reveals it. He shines light on the condition of our hearts. When we choose sin and turn away from God, we find ourselves in darkness. But when we walk in the light, we live in fellowship with God and experience the life He intended for us.
We have an innate sense that goodness should always triumph. Stories where evil wins feel wrong. Something in us yearns for the light to break through.
That’s why John’s next sentence brings hope: “The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.” Physically, we know that darkness has no power against even the smallest light. Spiritually, this is even more impactful. Christ shines, and darkness does not stand a chance.
Of course, God has given us free will. We can choose to live in the light or we can choose to remain in darkness. But John’s point is that darkness will never defeat light. We have victory through Christ!
And maybe that’s why it’s so appropriate that we celebrate the birth of Jesus during the darkest part of the year. In our literal and figurative winter, Christ comes as light. Steady, hopefully, and impossible for darkness to overcome.
PS - I can’t talk about John 1 without plugging a scene from The Chosen (S2, E1) that compares it to Genesis 1. Take a few minutes to watch John’s Prologue.
Brandon has been attending COTR since its inception in 1997. He’s the worship leader at COTR and also manages special projects and helps in administrative areas. He and his wife, Shauna, have one son and like to hike, exercise, read, and watch silly videos online.
We’d love to hear from you. Use the questions below as a way to share your own story and encourage others in the comments.
How has has Jesus brought life and light into your life?
In what ways does Jesus help us see ourselves, God, and the world more truthfully?
How is John showing that Jesus brings not only creation but re-creation or new life?