5 Living In The Light Series

INTRODUCTION

The Sunday after Christmas is a strange one, isn’t it?

The decorations are still up…

the leftovers are still in the fridge…

but Christmas Day itself has passed.

And there’s a quiet question hanging in the air:

What now?

Do we gently pack Christmas away — along with its message — or does it shape how we live going forward?

Today’s theme is simple but important:

Don’t leave Jesus in the manger.

Let His light shape your year.

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1. CHRISTMAS BROUGHT LIGHT INTO DARKNESS

The Bible often describes the world as a place of darkness — not just night-time darkness,

but confusion, fear, brokenness, and uncertainty.

Isaiah speaks into a dark time for God’s people and says:

“Arise, shine, for your light has come…”

Notice — the light isn’t something they create.

It’s something that comes to them.

That’s Christmas.

Jesus didn’t come because the world was bright and welcoming.

He came because the world was dark — and needed light.

And if we’re honest, as we look ahead to a new year, there’s still plenty of darkness around:

• uncertainty about the future

• worries about health, finances, or family

• anxiety about what lies ahead

Christmas reminds us:

God’s light shines in real darkness.

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2. JESUS ISN’T JUST THE LIGHT OF CHRISTMAS — HE IS THE LIGHT OF LIFE

In John 8, Jesus says something extraordinary:

“I am the light of the world.”

Not a light.

Not a temporary glow.

The light.

And He adds this promise:

“Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness,

but will have the light of life.”

That’s not a Christmas-only promise.

That’s a daily promise.

Jesus doesn’t want to be remembered once a year —

He wants to be followed day by day.

The danger is that we admire the light at Christmas…

but then walk away from it in January.

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3. DON’T LEAVE JESUS IN THE MANGER

It’s easy to keep Jesus safely in the nativity scene:

• gentle

• quiet

• non-demanding

But the baby in the manger grows up.

He teaches.

He heals.

He challenges.

He gives His life.

He rises again.

And He invites us not just to celebrate Him — but to follow Him.

Following Jesus doesn’t mean life suddenly becomes easy.

It means we don’t walk through life alone.

Light doesn’t remove every shadow —

but it shows us where to step next.

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4. WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO LIVE IN THE LIGHT?

Let me make this very practical as we head into a new year.

a) Walk closely with Jesus

Living in the light starts with staying connected:

• a simple prayer

• reading a few verses

• pausing to ask, “Lord, guide me today”

We don’t need a perfect routine — just a willing heart.

b) Let His light shape our choices

Light reveals things — sometimes things we’d rather not see.

Living in the light means asking:

• Is this drawing me closer to God?

• Is this helping me love others better?

Jesus’ light isn’t harsh — it’s healing.

c) Shine His light to others

Isaiah says:

“Nations will come to your light…”

We shine not by being loud or pushy —

but by being kind, hopeful, patient, and gracious.

In a world that often feels heavy,

quiet light stands out.

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CONCLUSION

As Christmas fades and a new year approaches, the invitation is simple:

• Don’t pack the light away.

• Don’t leave Jesus in the manger.

• Carry His light with you —

into your days, your decisions, and your relationships.

The same Jesus who came at Christmas

walks with you into the new year.

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🙏 PRAYER

Lord Jesus,

thank You that You are the light of the world.

Thank You that Your light shines in our darkness.

As we step into a new year,

help us to walk in Your light —

to trust You, follow You, and reflect Your hope to others.

Guide our steps, calm our fears,

and shape our lives with Your presence.

Amen.