Christmas Light in a Dark World

Each December, our homes, neighborhoods, and cities come alive with colorful lights. We hang them on rooftops, wrap them around trees, and place them in windows as a sign that “Hope has come!”

But Christmas light is more than a seasonal decoration, it is a reminder of a deeper truth: God sent Jesus as the Light who breaks through the world's darkness (John 1:9, NKJV).

And because Christ lives in us, we now carry that same Light into every environment, conversation, and relationship we enter.

Christmas Reminds Us Who We Are

In Matthew chapter 5, Jesus made an extraordinary statement when He said to His disciples: “You are the light of the world” (Matt. 5:14, NKJV). In other words, the birth of Jesus does not just illuminate a manger—it illuminates us. We are His people and are meant to reflect His character in such a way that people can sense and experience God’s presence through the way we live. That’s why relationships matter so much. The Kingdom of God moves forward not through noise or visibility, but through the quiet, steady influence of people who live differently because Christ is changing them from the inside out!

This is especially true during Christmas, a time when many people are emotionally stretched, spiritually weary, or relationally strained. In a season that should bring joy, there are many who experience something vastly different: tension, grief, or pressure. It is here where our witness matters most.

Three Attitudes That Can Dim Our Light

In Matthew 5:16–32, Jesus identifies attitudes that can disrupt our relationships and cloud our witness. He’s addressing more than behavior here—He’s speaking to the condition of the heart. Here are three “light-dimmers” Jesus urges us to watch for during this season:

1. The Weight of Unresolved Frustration

Most will agree that Christmas greatly increases our stress—expectations rise, schedules tighten, and family gatherings sometimes cause old wounds to resurface. Jesus teaches that carrying hidden resentment or frustration toward others puts us at odds with the very peace He came to bring (Matt. 5:22–24, NKJV).

Unresolved anger doesn’t just impact the people around us—it affects the clarity of the light we reflect. Choosing forgiveness and taking steps toward reconciliation helps restore the brightness of Christ’s presence within us.

2. The Pull of Impure or Misaligned Desires

The message of Christmas is built on God’s faithful, covenant-commitment of love. Yet Jesus warns about desires that pull the heart away from purity and loyalty (Matt. 5:27–30, NKJV).

In a day filled with constant temptation, our integrity becomes a powerful form of witness. When we practice self-control and honor God with purity, we display a kind of love the world rarely sees: a love anchored in faithful devotion rather than reactive impulsivity.

3. The Temptation to Withdraw or Become Indifferent

Jesus also challenges the tendency to treat relationships casually or carelessly (Matt. 5:31–32, NKJV). Whether it shows up as disengagement from family, reluctance to invest in friends, or apathy toward covenant commitments—indifference dims our influence.

Christmas tells a different story. Christ came near. He stepped into our world, into our brokenness, into our need. If we are called to follow Christ and do what He did, then if he refused to remain distant, we are called to draw close to others and engage with intentional love.

This Season, Let’s Shine On Purpose

This week, our family had the opportunity to visit a couple of our neighbors’ homes and experience their incredible Christmas décor. Each house showcased the season in a captivating way—every room thoughtfully designed with its own unique theme. The beauty and creativity on display were truly remarkable, and both homes left us in awe.

While the two homes were amazing, the most powerful witness we offer during Christmas is not a perfectly decorated home, a well-wrapped gift, or a polished holiday schedule. It is a transformed heart expressed through:

• Grace-filled conversations

• Compassion toward the hurting

• Faithfulness in our commitments

• Integrity when no one is watching

• Reconciliation wherever possible

Jesus does not ask us to manufacture light—He simply calls us to let His light shine through us (Matt. 5:16, NKJV).

As you move through this Christmas season, remember:

While decorations are beautiful, fun, and stir our hearts for the Christmas season, it’s the light of Christ shining through His people that brings true joy and hope to the world.

May we each carry His light into our families, workplaces, and church community—shining in such a way that others are drawn not to us, but to Him.