December 30, 2025
JOHN 3:16-21
16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. 19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. 21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.
16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. 19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. 21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.
During Advent we watched for God’s light breaking into our darkness. Now we turn toward Epiphany, beginning January 4, 2026, a season that celebrates the revelation of Jesus to the world and the sudden, life‑changing arrival of God’s light.
Epiphany means revelation, appearance, or manifestation. It proclaims that the Light has come, God’s presence invading a world shadowed by fear, sin, and confusion.
Our passage names the reality: light has entered the world, yet many preferred darkness because their deeds were evil. Those who cling to wrongdoing avoid the light for fear their actions will be exposed. By contrast, those drawn to the light live by truth, believe in Jesus, and stand free from condemnation.
“This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed.”
Being drawn into the Light awakens a hunger for truth and deeper fellowship with God. Exposure of sin no longer terrifies us, because in the Light we find mercy, grace, and forgiveness. That encounter shapes our lives, prompting us to reflect God’s lovingkindness, compassion, and righteousness. As the psalms remind us, God is compassionate, slow to anger, and rich in unfailing love and faithfulness; our hearts respond in gratitude and praise.
When we have seen the Light in Jesus, we naturally want others to know that God has called us out of darkness into His wonderful light. We seek to live openly and faithfully so that our actions are done in God’s sight—motivated by faith rather than fear, so others might see Jesus and be drawn into a living relationship with Him.
The Apostle Paul's words in 2 Corinthians 4:6-7 summarizes for us the experience of receiving this wonderful gift of light.
“For God, who said, 'Let there be light in the darkness,' has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ. We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.” — 2 Corinthians 4:6–7
Let's Pray
“For God, who said, 'Let there be light in the darkness,' has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ. We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.” — 2 Corinthians 4:6–7
Let's Pray
God of light, grant us boldness to live openly for you, not from fear but from faith. Let our words and deeds point others to Jesus so they too may be drawn into your wonderful light. Amen.
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