Stare at the Light – December 27, 2024

Read: John 1:1-18

In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. . . The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
John 1:4-5,14

Stare at the Light

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Science says that if you look at the sun for 100 seconds, your eyesight will be damaged permanently. It’s not a good idea to look at the sun directly. That’s why there are special glasses you can wear to look at a solar eclipse. It’s dangerous to stare at a bright light like the sun. But as bright as it is, it can only shine on the outside of your body. It can’t shine into your heart and soul.

Christmas is about the brightest light to ever shine on the world. In John chapter 1, Jesus is called a light. He is a light so bright it can shine into our hearts and souls. In a way, it can be dangerous to stare at this light.

John says, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John says the light of Jesus is dangerous to the “darkness” inside of us. The darkness is sin. It’s the bad things we do and the bad thoughts we think. That darkness tries to fight against Jesus because his light shows us when we are wrong and that we need a Savior.

But even though this light is “dangerous” to the darkness inside of us, we can stare at it. Unlike staring at the sun, it is a good thing to stare at the light of Jesus. This light isn’t meant to hurt us; it’s meant to save us. The Bible says, “In him was life, and that life was the light of mankind.” Jesus doesn’t just show us our sin but also shows us that he is our Savior from every sin. Which means it’s a good thing to look at him. He wants us to stare at him by listening to his words and going to church because when we look at him, we see God’s love for us, his grace.

So, stare at the light of Jesus—no special glasses necessary!

Closing Prayer:

Almighty God, you have filled us with the new light of the Word who became flesh and lived among us. Let the light of our faith shine in all we do; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (Prayer of the Day for Christmas 2)

The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire.

Questions for Younger Children

• What is Jesus called in John chapter 1?
• How is Jesus like a light?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• How does the light of the sun give life to the world?
• How does the light of Jesus give life to our hearts?

Questions for Middle School and Above

• What does it mean that the light of Jesus is dangerous to the darkness inside of us?
• What are some ways we can “look” at Jesus besides going to church?