Is the Light Shining?

Merry Christmas to all! Our reading this morning will come a little later in the sermon, so for those ready to read, just relax and we will come back to it. Because our scripture is on the longer side, we will read it in pieces throughout the sermon and I will let you know when it is time.

The Advent and Christmas season brings people together to share traditions old and new. For me that usually means doing the same things each year, watching the same movies and sometimes starting something brand new. One of the new things I discovered this year was the Grumpy Shepherd.

The Grumpy Shepherd is a children’s book written by Paddie Devon. It is a playful, heartwarming story that starts with exactly what the title promises: a shepherd who is very grumpy. He spends his days looking after his sheep, but instead of feeling peaceful or content, he’s constantly annoyed. The sheep are noisy, the weather is inconvenient, and nothing ever seems to go quite right. He’s stuck in a bad mood and doesn’t see any reason for it to change.

One night, everything is interrupted by something completely unexpected, an angel appears with incredible news. The angel announces the birth of a baby who will bring joy to the whole world. The shepherd is skeptical at first (grumpy people often are), but curiosity and a sense that something important is happening begin to break through his grumbling.

The shepherd joins others on a journey to Bethlehem, and along the way, his attitude slowly shifts. As he moves closer to the baby, his hard edges begin to soften. When he finally sees the newborn Jesus, something changes inside him. The peace, joy, and hope surrounding the baby melt away his grumpiness, replacing it with wonder and happiness he didn’t know he was missing.

By the end of the story, the shepherd is no longer defined by his bad mood. He leaves transformed; lighter, kinder, and joyful ready to share the good news with others. The Grumpy Shepherd is a fun and gentle reminder that joy can surprise us, change our hearts, and show up when we least expect it. Children’s books have a way of teaching us things that we as adults think we already know. But most importantly it also reminds us to open our hearts and minds to change.

The same thing happens in the story of Jesus’ birth. For the last few weeks, we have been waiting and ushering in this special moment where Christ will be born. For some it seems like it is taking forever and for others it seems to happen in the blink of an eye. And we already know how the story ends, but that doesn’t mean we don’t experience the love, the joy, the peace and togetherness the story brings.

Our scripture this morning comes from the Gospel of John.  And the Gospel of John, much like the Grumpy Shepherd, gives us a perspective of Jesus’s birth that we don’t always notice.

First of all, the Gospel of John begins like a cosmic movie trailer. Before anything existed light, stars, people, time itself, Jesus was already there. John calls Him “the Word,” the living expression of God, through whom everything was made. Then, incredibly, this Word steps into the world as a human. God moves into the neighborhood, full of grace, truth, and light that darkness can’t put out.

Which brings us to the beginning of the reading:  John 1:1-5

The Word Became Flesh

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ² He was in the beginning with God. ³ All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being ⁴ in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. ⁵ The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overtake it.

We will stop here for a moment.

Before creation had a starting point, before light separated from darkness, before history began to unfold, Christ was already there. John wants us to understand from the very first line that Jesus is not simply part of the story of God, He is God, fully present, fully active, and fully eternal. The Word was with God and the Word was God, revealing that relationship and unity exist at the heart of who God is.

This light that John is talking about foreshadows all that Jesus will do. Without this light nothing can happen. So while the Gospels of Luke and Matthew paint the beautiful picture of Jesus’ birth John says there’s more to this than you can see. Not only is this individual sent to dwell among us, fulfilling the prophecy, but he also changes everything. Let me fast forward and jog your memory a little of the things to come that you may have heard before:

Once Jesus arrives, things get interesting fast. He turns water into wine at a wedding, setting the tone that something joyful and unexpected is happening. Throughout his story, Jesus performs signs that point beyond themselves healing the sick, giving sight to the blind, feeding thousands with almost nothing, calming storms, and even raising Lazarus from the dead. Each moment leaves people asking the same question: Who is this?

Jesus doesn’t just do amazing things He says bold, unforgettable things. He calls Himself the Bread of Life, the Light of the World, the Good Shepherd, the True Vine, the Resurrection and the Life. These aren’t metaphors meant to sound nice; they’re invitations to trust Him for everything. Some people lean in and believe. Others get uncomfortable. The tension grows as Jesus keeps revealing that He isn’t just sent by God, He is God.

This is all John wants to share with people, that Jesus is God. That was just a quick glance at the Gospel of John. Which leads us to the next part of our reading: John 1:6-9

⁶ There was a man sent from God whose name was John. ⁷ He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. ⁸ He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. ⁹ The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.

Let’s stop here once again.

John’s use of the word light is not a coincidence. The word light is used in connection with so many things in the bible. Light is there from the beginning as we have seen in Genesis, where it says beginning in verse three: “³ Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. ⁴ And God saw that the light was good…” (Genesis 1:3-4a). Light is also connected to joy and blessings and life itself. This light we are encountering today is a revelation of John’s love in Christ and the penetration of that love into the lives of those stuck in darkness. Letting everyone know that there is a way out of darkness.

John is also declaring to the world what his job is. He was sent to be a witness to testify to the light. What does that mean? He is here to tell everyone he can about this light and how it will transform them. His role reminds us that faith often begins with testimony. Someone tells the story, their story. Someone points and says, “Look, this is it, this is the One.” God chooses to use human voices to invite others into the light, even when belief feels risky or costly.

Which brings us to the last portion of scripture. John doubled down to share that this light is like nothing we have ever seen. John then tells us something breathtaking: this eternal Word is the One through whom everything was made. Life, light, and all creation flow from Him. And yet, even though the light shines in the darkness, the darkness does not understand it or overcome it. This is one of the great tensions of the gospel: God comes into the world God created, but the world does not recognize God. Light arrives, but many prefer to stay in the shadows and the darkness.

Here's the last portion of our scripture this morning, John tells us in verses 10-14:

¹⁰ He was in the world, and the world came into being through him, yet the world did not know him. ¹¹ He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. ¹² But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, ¹³ who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.

¹⁴ And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.

This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Then comes the most astonishing truth of all: “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” God did not remain distant or abstract. He took on human flesh, walked dusty roads, felt hunger and sorrow, laughter and love. The Creator chose closeness. He moved into the neighborhood, sharing life with ordinary people like you and me. This is not a God who shouts instructions from heaven, but one who comes near.

John tells us that those who receive this Word are given power to become children of God—not by birthright, effort, or achievement, but by grace. In Jesus, we are invited into a new identity and a new family. Grace and truth arrive together, not as ideas but as a living person who reveals God’s heart fully and faithfully.

The passage ends by reminding us that no one has ever seen God, but the Son has made Him known. Jesus is the clearest picture of who God is and what God is like. When we look at Christ, we see divine glory expressed in humility, love expressed through sacrifice, and light that still shines in the darkness.

Conclusion

At this point in the Advent and Christmas season, you have probably heard the story of Jesus’ birth several times right. Which means you have stopped paying attention to what else is happening in the story, and why we have John’s perspective this morning.

The story of Jesus’ birth is beautiful, fulfilling promises, strange and yet full of love. At the same time it is the beginning of the light shinning a little brighter and a revelation of what is to come.

This light does amazing things for us. This light is the beginning of the world, this light helps us find a way out of darkness, this light saves the world.

Lets fast forward again and look at what John reveals to us. As you continue to read the Gospel of John the story moves toward the cross, John shows Jesus as calm and purposeful, not trapped by events but choosing love. He washes His friends’ feet, promises the Holy Spirit, and prays for His followers; present and future. When Jesus is arrested and crucified, it looks like darkness has won, but John makes it clear: this is love poured out completely.

Then comes the surprise that changes everything. The tomb is empty. Jesus is alive. He appears to Mary, to the disciples, and even to doubters, offering peace and new life. John ends by saying he didn’t write all this just to tell a good story, he wrote it so readers might believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and by believing, have life.

Is the light shining? Can you see it?

Even when you are not looking for the light, the light is still shining. The sun still rises and the moon still lights the night. Light can shine into the darkest places and change the mood. Light is necessary and apart of our everyday life, I don’t think that is a coincidence.

Is the light shining?

The light of the world is here and offering something to you. The light is shining on you to penetrate those dark places to help you see a way out. The light is shining on you as the world sees Christ’s love through you. The light is shining so you can see God is in this world.

Is the light shining? If the grumpy shepherd can find the light so can you.