Jesus Is the Light

Isa. 9:1-2, 6-7
One of the primary themes of Christmas is the entry of light! (when Christ came)

Shepherds - "glory of the Lord shone" - Magi - the star (unusual light) Simeon - Luke 2:30-32

Therefore, John 1:1, 4-9, 8:12, 12:46

"Light" (in scripture) represents all that is good, pure, right. ie: sight, understanding, truth, wisdom, prosperity, joy, health, moral uprightness, openness, holiness, etc.
The Person, Power, Presence of God is represented by light.

"Darkness" (in scripture) always has negative connotations!!
ie: ignorance, falsehood, folly, blindness, stumbling, groping, hiding, concealing, sneaking around, rejecting truth. Synonymous with evil, wickedness, sin, corruption, Satan, evil powers.
It's tied to judgment, banishment, death, separation, etc.
Examples:
the 9th. plague - Ex. 10:21-23
5th. bowl - Rev. 16:10-11
3 hours on cross - Matt. 27:45
parables of Christ - Matt. 8:11-12, 22:13, 25:30
Fate of godless - Jude 6, 13

QUICK OVERVIEW
Light is the 1st. thing created - Gen. 1:1-3
then separated from darkness - Gen. 1:4 And at odds ever since!!
BUT, darkness will be banished from the Presence of God and God's people - Rev. 21:23-25, 22:5

MEANWHILE (between times....)

I. Christ offers us light. (broad application)
But includes the knowledge of right and wrong - to help us see and know things

Also,
II. Christ offers to deliver us from darkness.
Col. 1:12-13 (also has a broad application)

Suggests our problem is more than a need for knowledge
The Gospel message says that it means release from bondage (compare to Israel in Egypt - the information Moses gave regarding the Promised Land wasn't going to change their situation)

Our Part???? (also, your part - individually)
#1. Exposure to the light - seeking, pursuing. Mostly, God does not invade or force Himself on us. Example: the Magi
A. through His Word - Psalm 19:8, 119:105, 119:130
B. with His Presence (person) - Job 29:1-5 (a) - "with me" John 16:13 (a) - "all truth"
You cannot conjure up the Presence of God, but must seek it.

#2. Receiving light given. Rom. 1:21 - Light received increases light. Light rejected increases darkness.

#3. Accepting the Source of Light - (ie: Christ)
Therefore, it's more than propositional. It is personal. John 1:11-12 - received Him. Calling Him Savior and Lord.

#4, Living according to the light received. Eph. 5:8-15
Goes beyond accepting Him as Savior and Lord.

#5. Modeling the light - (closely related to #4)
Matt. 5:14-16 Phil. 2:14-15 - lifestyle should be such that we stand out as examples of a "light follower".

#6. Spreading light. Compare Acts 26:17-18