And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks by night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 
Luke 2:8-9

It was an ordinary night. The shepherds were attending their sheep and watching for intruders by the light of the moon. They had grown accustomed to the darkness, accustomed to watching for shadows that might present danger. 

But suddenly, the familiar became unfamiliar. Their calm turned to fear as an angel appeared with a brilliant light that illumined the heavens and fields. The glory of God shone as the angel proclaimed the birth of the Savior.

Ah, the entrance of the Savior! The Light of the world has come to darkness. Jesus said, I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life (John 8:12). In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it (John 1:5). 

People all around us live in spiritual darkness. Like the shepherds, they’ve grown accustomed to the darkness. Their minds are darkened to the truth of God and His Word. Their hearts are darkened to the knowledge of Jesus as Savior. They are accustomed to the ways and thinking of the world. Many prefer the darkness, because light exposes that which is hidden. Light exposes the evil within. 

But light does more than expose evil. Light dispels the darkness! Jesus, the Light, brings cleansing to all who believe and follow Him. Jesus then illumines the hearts and minds of His followers, bringing increasing knowledge and understanding of Him and God’s truth. 

Christmas is about celebrating the Light of the world who has come to dispel our darkness! Christmas is about proclaiming the birth of the Savior so that those living in darkness can come into His glorious light! 

Jesus, open the eyes of those living in darkness to see You as Light and Truth.
 
Jan Burkhart