The Light of Christmas

In the Gospel of John Jesus says to his disciples, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Humanity is now facing many dark and difficult things. This has always been true. Jesus spoke these words of encouragement at a time when his people were oppressed and occupied by the Roman empire and its military. His disciples were largely poor and uneducated laborers, who surely struggled to provide for their families. In other words, they had serious life-challenging circumstances, like we all do. And his message of the light overcoming darkness is as needed and powerful today as ever. The deepest message of Christmas is this: In the darkest times of our lives, the light of God is born anew. Let that light shine brightly in us now that we too may overcome.