5 Ways to Be the Light of Christ in a Dark December
Spiritual Life
Audio By Carbonatix
By Jaime Jo Wright, Crosswalk.com
The world is bleak right now. Let’s face it. This has not been an easy year, and we’re not exiting with peace and joy. While sometimes we groan about how the world is just getting worse and worse, keep in mind that the era into which Jesus was born was also dark and evil. While the nativity is remembered with starlight and cuddly animals, instead, Jesus was born into a time of political turmoil. Rome and the Jewish nation were on tentative terms. King Herod was willing to slaughter every son under the age of two in order to eliminate Jesus, a potential threat to what Herod perceived as his throne, and the Jews were looking for a Messiah who came as a warrior, a champion, and a King.
The world was dark then.
This December is dark today.
So how can we be the light of Christ in this darkness? When Christmas is a facade of twinkling merriment, but beneath it, we fear for the safety of our families, we struggle to make ends meet, we worry about the trajectory of politics and religion, and we are exhausted, lonely, uncertain, or stricken with grief.
1. Speak hope into the heavy places.
It’s interesting to reflect back on the nativity. While not simple in terms of what was happening in the scheme of God’s plan, there was no white horse and King on its back. It was a quiet night, unremarkable except for the few who witnessed miracles (namely, the shepherds who saw a sky full of angels!). Hope came softly.
December darkness calls for words that are seasoned with grace. “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt.” — Colossians 4:6 This is a time of year when you can be a quiet hope in places of darkness. Offer encouragement without platitudes, speak Scripture into the lives of those around you because that is the truth, and offer compassion while speaking truth.
2. Practice quiet obedience.
“Whoever is faithful in very little is also faithful in much” – Luke 16:10. Faithfulness in unseen moments reflects Jesus more than through public displays. You can bring light into darkness by showing obedience to your Savior.
Serve anonymously and don’t seek accolades. Pray without announcing it to social media, or making a big expression about it. Go into the interior of your closet and seek the Lord. Be faithful in the little things. Ask the Lord to show you how He wants you to change from the inside out so that you might be a light on a hill that helps steer others to that eternal hope that is in Jesus.
3. Carry peace instead of anxiety.
Contrary to the Christmas season is a spirit of peace. Which is rather ironic, considering we have plaques hanging everywhere at Christmas announcing “peace on earth.”
However, we often fail to experience the peace that comes with being still before God. In recognizing His power and authority and the peace that comes from submission and obedience to Him. Instead, we adopt the frenetic pace that is customary with this season, and we contribute to the introduction of anxiety and chaos. Our homes become places where we snap at one another, and where projects and to-do lists become the god of our Christmas instead of Jesus.
J. Oswald Chambers said, “Peace is not the absence of trouble, but the presence of Christ.” And, Isaiah 26:3 states, “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast.”
This is no trivial thing, this focusing on being at peace. But it requires discipline of the mind. When Isaiah mentions steadfastness, he is referring to a deep focus on God. Not allowing your attention to waver from that devotion to the truth that is Jesus.
Trouble and darkness will always be here. Peace is not the absence of them, but the remaining steadfast within the presence of God.
4. Shine where you are planted.
You don’t need a new platform to shine. You only need to be faithful in your current place. Matthew 5:16 says, “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father.”
Let your light shine before others? How? Through the acting out of Godliness. Serve your family and others with patience. Love your neighbors as Christ loves. Live out your faith with consistency. As John Wesley put it, “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can.”
Put those fruits of the spirit into action. Really. If you think about it, how could this December be transformed if there were a movement of believers who practiced love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control?
5. Remember Christ came into the darkness.
Advent reminds us that Jesus did not wait for the world to be ready. He entered the darkness to redeem it. “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light.” — Isaiah 9:2
It shouldn’t be a surprise to us that we are experiencing troubles of all kinds. Scriptures state that we will, and it is in this darkness that Scripture also gives us examples of how to remain steadfast in Christ. A focused attention on Jesus as you walk through your day will inevitably give Him the ability to use you in ways you could not achieve on your own.
Jesus came to be the light. Opening ourselves to Him, to be used for His glory, is the most effective way to bring His light to a very dark December.
A prayer often attributed to St. Patrick is particularly powerful when considered in its entirety. The impact of living according to this prayer could bring light into dark corners and deep shadows.
Christ with me,
Christ before me,
Christ behind me,
Christ in me,
Christ beneath me,
Christ above me,
Christ on my right,
Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down,
Christ when I sit down,
Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.
Adopt that this season. Allow Christ to shine light through you by remaining steadfast and focused on Him. "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” — John 8:12 (ESV)
It all comes back to Jesus. And this December, as with all the Decembers before us, we celebrate the moment He was born.
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” — Isaiah 9:6 (ESV)
Proclaim Him this December!
