As the year draws to a close, some of us are walking through the longest, darkest nights of the year, while others are enjoying long, light-filled summer days. Wherever this letter finds you in the world, the Christmas and New Year period gently reminds us of a shared and unchanging truth: Jesus Christ, the Light of the world, has already come and the darkness has not overcome him.
In the words of Jesus:
"The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." (John 1:5 NIV)
God has been at work in every place and every season.
For many, 2025 has been demanding. Across nations and cultures, people have carried heavy headlines alongside quiet, personal burdens that never made the news. Yet often unnoticed and always faithful, God has been at work in every place and every season.
Darkness is real but it is not final. Brokenness is part of the story but it’s never the end of it. Because Jesus Christ is the Light of the world.
Looking back—with thankful hearts
As we look back over the year, we do so with gratitude, not because it has been easy but because God has been present.
In our ministry, we have been deeply moved by the stories. A short message shared online reaching someone at just the right moment. A conversation after a talk where someone quietly said, "That helped me believe again."
The good news of Jesus has traveled further than we could ever go ourselves.
This year, thousands have been personally touched through our ministry events and resources. And millions more have engaged through our social media, TV and radio programs, as the good news of Jesus has traveled further than we could ever go ourselves, crossing borders, cultures and time zones.
We don’t think in terms of numbers. We think of faces. Names. Lives. Each one precious. Each one known. Each one loved by God.
It reminds us of the small lunch placed into Jesus’ hands. It didn’t look like much—but love rarely does at first glance. Offered to him, it became more than enough. We have simply tried to be faithful and God has graciously done the multiplying.
Looking around—with honest eyes
We live in a world that is impressive and aching all at once. We are more connected than ever, yet many feel unseen. We have endless information, yet a deep hunger for meaning.
That is why Christmas matters—now more than ever.
God did not send advice, he came himself.
God did not shout from heaven, he stepped into our world.
God did not keep his distance, he drew near.
In a manger, heaven touched earth.
And the Light was switched on.
One candle can push back a roomful of darkness.
Here’s something remarkable: in science, darkness is not a force in itself; it is simply the absence of light. You don’t fight darkness by shouting at it; you overcome it by switching on the light. Even a small light changes everything. One candle can push back a roomful of darkness.
That’s why John doesn’t say the darkness fought the light, only that it could not overcome it.
And that light, the light of Jesus, still shines into homes and hospitals, cities and villages, prisons and palaces, hearts that are hopeful and hearts that are hurting.
Looking forward—with gentle confidence
The future may feel uncertain but it is never unattended.
As we step into a New Year, we do so quietly hopeful. The future may feel uncertain but it is never unattended. "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." (Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV)
The same God who has carried us this far is already at work in the days ahead—still calling, still healing, still restoring, still shining his light through ordinary people and simple acts of faithfulness.
A simple application—light received, light reflected
Christmas and the end of the (Western) year is not only something to admire—it is something to respond to.
If Christ has brought light into your life this year, peace in the middle of pain, hope when you felt lost, forgiveness that lifted a burden, then don’t keep it to yourself. Light is meant to be shared.
A kind word.
A courteous conversation.
A simple invitation.
A quiet prayer.
Small lights matter. They always have.
A prayer—to carry with us
Faithful God,
As this year closes, we pause and we thank you.
Thank you for walking with us when the road was clear,
and when it was not.
For strength we didn’t know we had.
For grace that met us each morning.
For hope that quietly held us together.
We place into your hands all that has been.
The joys that warmed us,
the disappointments that shaped us,
the prayers answered and the ones still waiting.
Now we place into your hands all that is to come.
Go ahead of us into the New Year.
Light the path where we cannot yet see.
Give us peace for today and courage for tomorrow.
And use our lives gently, faithfully, joyfully to point others to Jesus,
the Light who still shines.
We trust you with our past.
We trust you with our future.
And we rest in you today.
In the name of Jesus, the Light of the world.
Amen.
Wherever you are under winter skies or summer sun, may you know the nearness of Christ at this time, and step into a new year held by the steady, faithful love of God.
Originally published by Philo Trust. Republished with permission.
J.John is an evangelist, minister, speaker, broadcaster and writer. He has been in ministry for four decades. He has spoken in towns, cities and universities in 69 countries, establishing Philo Trust in 1982 to organize his various evangelistic ministry offerings. J.John’s weekly podcast, The J.John Podcast, features a range of interviews with Christians from all walks of life and talks by J.John. Click here to listen. J.John’s books are available to order via jjohn.com or through other online or physical bookshops.
Philo Trust was established by J.John in 1982 to organize evangelistic events and projects, equip Christians to naturally share their faith, mentor evangelists, and produce books and resources to help people in their journey of faith.
