John 1:9 - Jesus, The True Light

Jesus, The True Light

“The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.” (John 1:9, ESV)

The world can be a dark place—a very dark place. In the last couple of weeks, we have heard of two murder-suicides and a home invasion. Then we received a call from an old friend who has been battling cancer. Life is broken. It rains on the just and the unjust.

Here in Alaska we are seeing less and less daylight every day. We lose about seven minutes a day until there is 22 hours of night. The world is a dark place.

As we walk through Advent again, we are reminded of the world sitting in darkness awaiting the True Light. Remembering that, in the fullness of time, God would send forth a Son, born of a woman and born under the law. The whole of creation has been corrupted through the sin of one man. But God, in His infinite love and mercy, would redeem us through the sacrifice of His Son.

Jesus is the True Light. He is the Light that enlightens us all. And He was and is coming into the darkness of our world and our very lives and bringing to us the forgiveness of our sins and imputing to us the eternal life that He has with the Father.

Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your Son and the life that You bring to us in the darkness of our lives. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

- Rev. David Sternbeck (Nuu-chah-nulth), Fairbanks, Alaska

You can help David and his wife, Rosemary, as they reach out to Alaska Natives. Learn more about becoming a volunteer with Lutheran Indian Ministries on our Volunteer Overview page.