Jesus Christ is the Light of the World.
The final candle, the white one in the center of the Advent Wreath that we light on Christmas Day, represents the Light. Christ’s white, piercing light sends the darkness scurrying for cover, like roaches when a light switch is flipped. It displaces the darkness.
The people who walk in darkness will see a great light; those who live in a dark land, the light will shine on them. . .
For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:2, 6
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being. In Him was lif
e, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. John 1:1-5
This final candle, with its white color of purity, also speaks to the spotlessness of the Lamb of God, without a single blemish, born to be slain for us. One of the most wonderful, incomprehensible mysteries is that white can also become our color.
He takes me, with the most righteous thing I’ve ever done being like filthy rags in comparison to His brilliance, and washes me so that I am as white as snow. He offers to do the same for you. Though your sins are as scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they will be like wool. Isaiah 1:18
Jesus became like us so that we might become like Him. He took on our human flesh and frailty, exchanging our sin for His righteousness and bearing the full weight of our sin. He even provided the Holy Spirit to empower us as we attempt to imitate His life, to strive for holiness as He is holy.
Certainly, we will fail. We will never become little gods. But the amazing thing that I’ll never be able to fully wrap my mind around is that when God looks at me, He no longer sees my sin because Jesus stands between us. He sees me as blameless and holy, like His Son.
Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! John 1:29
Merry Christmas! May you be blessed as you celebrate the birth of the Baby who came to earth to shatter the darkness and to be slain for us.