The heart and soul of Christmas is a joy unspeakable found in a baby born in Bethlehem. A baby whose birth lit up the brightest star, leading wise men from afar into the presence of the Light of the World. 

As believers, we know God is light and in Him there is no darkness. Yet, why does it feel like many of us are spending Christmas in the shadows? While Christmas is a holiday celebrated with lights, good cheer, and joy to the world, many are struggling in the valley of the shadows of grief and loss.

I understand your shadow. I’m with you in the struggle.

Will you turn with me to the Word? To Isaiah, Revelation and Psalms to find partial understanding and hope.

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭60:20‬ ‭(ESV‬‬) says, “Your sun shall no more go down, nor your moon withdraw itself; for the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your days of mourning shall be ended.” This promise is echoed hundreds of years later in Revelation 22:5, “And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.”

My friend, my family, my brothers and sisters in Christ, we possess this hope. We posses this Light of the World within us. And while the light of God’s glory illuminates the cross of Christ, it also casts a temporary shadow. A shadow that will one day be no more.

While we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, we know the greatest Christmas gift is Jesus. We know one day the Lord will be our everlasting light, and our days of mourning shall end. We know that shadows are temporary and spiritual life is eternal.

So we trust in ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭23:4‬, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”

Let God comfort you this Christmas in the shadows.