“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness covered the surface of the watery depths, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light “day” and the darkness he called “night.” There was evening, and there was morning: one day. ”
Every year when I walk out into the woods on a cold November morning to hunt, it’s dark. The only thing I can see clearly is my breath in front of me. After a long trek out, I sit down... and wait. When those first rays of sun break over the horizon, I can see beauty around me. I can feel warmth. The excitement of the day ahead begins. And as the sun sets and it’s too dark to see the outline of deer against the wood-line, hope fades along with it. Our world (and life) can be cold, dark, and hopeless. Just as the people of Israel waited in anticipation of the promised Messiah for thousands of years, we now wait in anticipation of Jesus’ return. When Jesus - God in the flesh - was born, light entered the darkness. Jesus is the true light. Can you see His beauty? Can you feel the warmth of His love? Do you recognize Him as your Messiah - the light you’ve been waiting for? And just as the sunrise brings hope each morning, Jesus’ birth was the first ray of God’s glorious new day. Jesus, the God who came, is coming again to make all things new. He’s just getting started, and the best is yet to come!
Read John 1:1-5, 9-10, 14
One practical method you can use to help you go deeper when reading the Bible is the SOS method.
S: What does this passage say about God, and what does it say about me?
O: What am I being invited to obey?
S: What can I share with those around me?
