Preparing for the Messiah - Day 31
The Light Shines in the Darkness
John 1:1–5 (KJV)
“In the beginning was the Word,
and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
The same was in the beginning with God.
All things were made by him;
and without him was not any thing made that was made.
In him was life;
and the life was the light of men.
And the light shineth in darkness;
and the darkness comprehended it not.”
Introduction
Before Bethlehem,
before shepherds and wise men,
before Mary said yes,
before the manger and the star—
Jesus already was.
John takes us beyond the nativity
and lifts our eyes to eternity:
“In the beginning was the Word…
and the Word was God.”
The Child in the manger
is the God of creation.
The One wrapped in swaddling clothes
is the eternal Word who spoke galaxies into existence.
The light that entered the world in Bethlehem
is the same light that hovered over the deep
when time itself began.
Reflection
“All things were made by Him…”
Jesus is not part of creation —
He is the Creator.
Every star,
every sunrise,
every breath,
every heartbeat
exists because He willed it into being.
This means the One who made the universe
also made you—
with intention,
purpose,
and love.
“In Him was life…”
Life doesn’t come from circumstances,
achievement,
approval,
or earthly success.
Life comes from Jesus.
He is the source of spiritual life,
emotional renewal,
inner strength,
hope,
and joy.
“And the life was the light of men.”
Where Jesus is,
light is.
Light that reveals truth.
Light that warms the soul.
Light that guides the path.
Light that breaks the power of fear.
Light that exposes lies and brings healing.
“And the light shineth in darkness…”
Jesus didn’t avoid the darkness —
He entered it.
He brought light right into the places
where fear, pain, sin, and confusion lived.
And here is the promise:
“The darkness comprehended it not.”
Meaning:
darkness could not stop Him,
overcome Him,
or extinguish Him.
This is the Jesus we follow—
not fragile,
not dim,
not threatened,
but shining with unstoppable light.
Today, consider:
Where do I need His light to shine?
Where have I felt overshadowed?
Where do I need to remember that Jesus is eternal,
powerful,
and victorious over every darkness?
His light still shines.
And darkness still cannot overcome it.
Prayer
Lord Jesus,
Thank You for being the eternal Word,
my Creator,
my Life,
and my Light.
Shine into every shadow of my heart today.
Let Your truth guide me,
Your presence steady me,
and Your light overcome every bit of darkness within me.
Amen.
Journal Prompt
Where in your life do you feel darkness pressing in?
How does it comfort you to know that Jesus is the eternal Word?
What would it look like to invite Jesus’ light into a specific situation today?
The first time I read John 1:1-5, I didn't realize how significant it was. It was in the re-reading and meditating on each part that help bring more clarity. Anyone else have that experience in reading scripture?