The Light of the World, Part 5
Colossians 1v12-13
26th December 2025
Through the season of Advent, we've been thinking about the Light of the World, Jesus Christ, the Son of God come in human flesh. Today, the day after Christmas Day, we conclude this series. We who were chosen by God to be His people are citizens of the kingdom of light, which is the kingdom of Jesus Christ. Paul wrote this about Christians:
Colossians 1v12-13
[God the Father] has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his
holy people in the kingdom of light.
For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into
the kingdom of the Son he loves.
If this is true of you, if Jesus has shone His light in your heart, if, by God's grace, you’ve understood the good news of the kingdom of God, and you’ve turned away from your sin and put your trust in Him, and thus God has redeemed you, if you have been born again as a child of God, then let us spend our lives giving grateful thanks to God for His forgiveness and generosity. Let us rejoice! God has been so kind to us. Whatever trials we face on earth, we know we are His, and we know we are destined to spend eternity with Him.
Finally, my dear brothers and sisters in Christ, people who have followed Jesus, who have seen His light, believed His teaching, and sought to live it out, one more word. We’ve seen that Jesus is the Light of the World. He alone can deliver us from darkness, teach us the truth and set us free. Jesus also told His followers:
Matthew 5v14
"You are the light of the world…"
He continued:
Matthew 5v14-16
"… A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.
Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they
put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.
In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see
your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."
Jesus spent less than 34 years on earth before He died. He was resurrected and ascended to return to His Father. When He left us, the Father sent the Holy Spirit to teach, strengthen and empower His followers to carry on the work of preaching the good news of the kingdom of God. You and I, now, are the light of the world. We will never shine as brightly as Jesus, but we can make a difference. Let your light shine! Share the knowledge and wisdom that God has shared with you, with words and with actions, to the glory of God and the eternal salvation of the people around us, in Jesus’s name.
The new year will be with us very soon. May God grant that you and I are more fruitful in God's service in 2026 than we were in 2025. May He fill us afresh with His Holy Spirit, may He give us opportunities to witness to His goodness, mercy and love, and may He keep us faithful.
All glory to God and to Jesus Christ, Emmanuel, the Light of the World!