The Light Has Come
Christmas Eve is a night of holy waiting.
For weeks, Advent has trained our hearts to slow down and to look backward and forward at the same time. We remember God’s promises, and yet we still long for their fulfillment. Tonight, that waiting reaches its climax, as the silence is about to break and the darkness gives way to light.
John tells us, “The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world” (John 1:9, ESV). That Light did not arrive with force or spectacle. Instead, He came quietly and humbly. He entered the world as a child in a manger, unnoticed by most, yet carrying the weight of the world’s redemption.
Christmas Eve reminds us that God often works in ways we would never choose for ourselves. He brings light through weakness, and He brings hope through humility. He brings salvation through surrender. In the same way, He still meets us today, not primarily in the loud or dramatic, but in the stillness of hearts that are willing to receive Him.
So tonight, as the world pauses, we are invited to pause as well. We stop to reflect, to worship, and to marvel that the eternal Son of God stepped into time for us. The waiting is almost over, and the Light stands at the door.
Live It Out – The i3A Pathway
Identify
Where are you still waiting on God right now? Identify the place in your life where uncertainty, fear, or longing feels most present.
Align
Remind yourself that God often works in the waiting. Align your heart with the truth that Christ entered the world quietly and deliberately, and He is still active even when you cannot see immediate change.
Adapt
Consider how embracing holy waiting might shift your posture tonight. Instead of rushing, striving, or controlling outcomes, choose to rest in God’s timing and trust His promises.
Apply
Create a moment of stillness this evening. Pause to pray, reflect on Christ’s coming, and intentionally welcome His light into the specific area where you need His presence most.
Prayer
Father, thank You for sending Your Son into our darkness. As we wait on this holy night, prepare our hearts to receive Him again with humility, gratitude, and faith. Amen.
Dr. James Long Jr. is pastor of The Chapel at Warren Valley, a professor at a Christian university, and a Board-Certified Counselor and Certified Biblical Counselor. For nearly 35 years, he has equipped individuals and families to pursue emotional strength, relational wisdom, and spiritual clarity. He is the founder of Lessons for Life, an online coaching community designed to help people take actionable steps toward lasting change through Christ-centered teaching, practical tools, and guided coaching pathways. Explore courses, resources, and coaching opportunities at jameslongjr.org
