Christmas is upon us! Each year, we celebrate the birth of a special child who came to earth as part of our covenant relationship with God. This year, we will look at Jesus in a different Light. Let’s look at Jesus through a prism. John 1:1-5 so eloquently describes our Savior:
(John 1:1-5)1NIV New International Version Translations – “ In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, which was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
The theory of cosmic inflation suggests that right after the Big Bang, the universe rapidly expanded. This expansion happened very quickly, much faster than the speed of light, and caused the universe to grow a lot. It’s like blowing up a balloon in a split second! According to Genesis 1, God spoke the universe into existence, saying, “Let there be light,” and then there was instantly a visible universe. This moment also established the fundamental constants of nature, like the speed of light, defining our world and making our world unique.
Albert Einstein’s theory of relativity states that as an object with mass gets closer to the speed of light, its mass increases and it would need infinite energy to reach the speed of light. Although light itself has no mass, it carries energy and momentum. Photons, the particles that make up light, are massless. This means that the speed of light is a universal speed limit that nothing with mass can exceed. In a vacuum, the speed of light is approximately 299,792 kilometers per second (186,282 miles per second). This concept presents a challenge for humanity. We can perceive light only when it overcomes darkness. This makes us consider that the purpose of light must be to overcome darkness in the universe. We can see what is around us, but how do we understand light? The answer is simple: to understand light, we must first slow it down.
A prism works by bending light through a process called refraction. When light enters the prism, it slows down and changes direction due to the change in medium (from air to the material of the prism, usually glass or plastic). This bending of light causes the light to spread out into its constituent colors, creating a spectrum of beauty. As light enters the prism, it bends because light travels at different speeds in different mediums. Different colors (wavelengths) of light bend by different amounts. Shorter wavelengths (like violet) bend more than longer wavelengths (like red). When the light exits the prism, it bends again, further separating the colors and creating a visible rainbow.
A rainbow, with its spectrum of colors, is often seen as a symbol bridging divinity and human experience. In a religious context, it’s interpreted as a sign of God’s promise, a visual reminder of hope and faithfulness. For humanity, it’s an emblem of unity and diversity—each color distinct yet harmoniously coexisting. Perhaps it’s the perfect blend of divine artistry and human perception. The concept of a rainbow is first mentioned as a sign of God’s covenant with humanity in Genesis 9:13-16. After the flood, God made a promise to Noah and all living creatures that He would never again destroy the earth with a flood. The rainbow was meant to serve as a reminder of this covenant:
(Genesis 9:13-16) – “I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.”
Due to humanity’s free will and continued depravity, God eventually substituted His Son for the covenant of the rainbow. God sent Himself, His Son, into the world as a human. A baby that we could see, hear, even touch. The “incarnation”, coming from the Latin word meaning “in flesh,” refers to our Christian belief that God became human in the person of Jesus Christ. Only God could slow His Glory down sufficiently so humanity could understand it. The world watched Jesus grow up, minister to a fallen world, and in an act of the utmost generosity, take upon Himself the pain of the world’s sins. Jesus was crucified, died, buried, and then rose again to show us there is a path to an eternal world. This new world no longer has darkness but is filled with the “Covenant of Light, Christ.” Isn’t it beautiful how the rainbow now symbolizes God’s promise and faithfulness? This is why we celebrate the birth of a child each December.
The comparison of Jesus to light brings us back on track to understand the gifts of Grace and Salvation offered by our Creator. Just as light illuminates and guides us through darkness, Jesus provides spiritual clarity and guidance with His light. He helps believers navigate through life’s challenges and uncertainties. Light often symbolizes hope and the promise of a new day. Similarly, Jesus offers hope and the promise of salvation, bringing spiritual renewal and a path to eternal life. Light reveals what is hidden in darkness. Jesus, as the light, reveals the truth about God, humanity, and the path to righteousness. He exposes sin and offers a way to redemption. Light is essential for life and growth, particularly in the natural world through photosynthesis. Spiritually, Jesus is essential for the growth and flourishing of a believer’s faith and relationship with God. Light overcomes darkness, no matter how deep. This symbolizes Jesus’ victory over sin, evil, and death, assuring believers of His power and presence.
These are comparisons that we must work to retain to help convey the profound impact Jesus has on the lives of believers, making the metaphor of light a powerful and relatable way to understand Jesus’ role and significance in our world. As a simple candle overcomes the darkness, Christmas is all about the Light of the world, Jesus. “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path” (Psalm 119:105). Christmas is about how a living rainbow came into our world!
Contemplations
- How does light symbolize hope during the Christmas season?
- Ideas to Explore: How Christmas lights brighten up the darkest time of the year, literally and figuratively. How does the Star of Bethlehem guide the Wise Men, symbolizing guidance and hope?
- In what ways do different cultures use light to celebrate Christmas?
- Ideas to Explore: Investigate Christmas traditions worldwide: from candles in windows to lantern festivals. How do you use light to express your unique traditions and beliefs?
- Why is light an essential element in the story of the Nativity?
- Ideas to Explore: What is the significance of the Star of Bethlehem and how it led to the birthplace of Jesus? How does light represent divine intervention and miracles?
- How do modern Christmas light displays connect us to ancient practices and beliefs about light?
- Ideas to Explore: Discuss the historical use of fire and candles during winter solstice celebrations and how modern light displays continue these ancient traditions. Compare how the symbolism of light has evolved.
- What are the psychological effects of light during the festive season, and how does it contribute to the holiday spirit?
- Ideas to Explore: What is the impact of light on mood and mental health during winter? How does the warm glow of Christmas lights foster a sense of community, warmth, and joy?
- 1NIV New International Version Translations