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Nov 20, 2025 06:00am

When the Son Rises: Finding Hope in the Light of Christ

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In the mornings, my husband and I sit on the back porch, coffee in my hand, and watch the sun rise. When we first get to the porch, it’s dark outside. Not complete darkness, but you can’t see much. And throughout the next hour, we watch this beautiful miracle take place.

First, it’s just a little sliver of gold that outlines the clouds on the horizon. Then, the beams pierce through the clouds, illuminating the sky in pink and orange. And finally, just as it does every morning, the sun rises, and a warm glow fills the sky and earth. The light is so bright, we close our eyes and feel the heat on our faces.

2 Corinthians 4:6
“For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”

Darkness.

There was nothing but darkness over all the earth. And then, the voice of God spoke.

Genesis 1:1-3
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. 3 Then God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light.”

The power and authority for light to be formed and appear out of nothing is absolutely mind-blowing. Only God, the Creator of the world, could have done such a remarkable and miraculous thing.

But it wasn’t the last time He would bring light into darkness.

Since the fall in Genesis 3 when Adam and Eve sinned against God, the earth was filled with darkness. Throughout the days of Noah, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, darkness continued. But prophets like Isaiah foretold of a light that would come.

Isaiah 9:1a-2
“1a Nevertheless, that time of darkness and despair will not go on forever.
2 The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine.”

Years went by. Where was this Messiah?

After four hundred years of silence from heaven, there came a light—a shining star in the East. The wise men knew it was the sign they had been looking for.

Matthew 2:1-2; 9
“Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.”

In the darkness of a stable, young Mary delivered her son.

Luke 2:7
“And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.”

Luke 2:8-11
“8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”

The Star. The Messiah. The Savior. Emmanuel—Christ the Lord.

Jesus.
The Word.
The Light.

John 1:1-14
“1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 The same was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.
8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.
9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”

Because of Jesus, we don’t have to remain in darkness anymore.

John 8:12
“Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”

Don’t you see it? Don’t you see Him? The Son is shining! Rays of hope pierce through the darkness! Jesus, our Savior, the Light of the World!

Where there is light, there is hope. Is that what you’re searching for today? Are you tired of trying to navigate blindly throughout the darkness of this life? There is a light that shines, illuminating, revealing the way. Will you follow Him?

Let me show you. Go to follow.lifeword.org. Learn more about Jesus and what it means to follow Him every day.