What came to be through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race; the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. – John 1:3-5
Merry Christmas! During Advent, we prayed for Jesus, the Light, to come to brighten our world. We prayed to receive the Advent gifts of hope, peace, joy, and love. But we didn’t pray for these for ourselves alone. We prayed to have an increase in these virtues in order to bring them to others. This is how we can bring the abundant life of Christ to those who we live and work with each day. It’s so wonderful that we who receive God’s gifts have a share in being bearers of these good things to the world. It’s our joy and honor to manifest Christ’s abundant life through works of hope, peace, joy, and love.
At the Incarnation, God, the Light and Life, became flesh and blood in Christ. Salvation was born into the world. We rejoice in the gift of everlasting life through Christ, and we also rejoice in His gift of abundant life here and now: “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly” (John 10:10). The presence of Jesus brings us the fullness of hope, peace, joy, and love (Romans 15:13; Psalm 72:7, Psalm 16:11, Ephesians 3:17-21). When we encounter Christ, His beautiful Light and Life can fill us through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and we in turn, can offer His hope, peace, joy, and love to others. This is how we can share Christ’s abundant life.
This week, consider how you can be the bearer of Christ’s abundant light and life into the world. To remind yourself, you could read John 1:1-14 daily, helping you to keep your focus on the mystery and gift of the Incarnation of the Lord. Look for opportunities to bring hope where there is fear, peace where there is discord, joy where there is sadness, and love where there is strife, hate, or indifference.
Thank you, Jesus, for coming to give us the gift of Your everlasting, abundant life. Fill me with hope, peace, joy, and love so I can bring Your light and life to others.