During the Christmas season, you may have read the story of Zecharias.  He was the father of John the Baptist and delivered a prophecy about the coming Messiah before Jesus was born.  Being filled with the Holy Spirit, Zecharias declared, “The Dayspring from on high has visited us; to give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace” (Luke 1:78-79, NKJV).  

What a beautiful scripture and truth!  Zecharias called Jesus “the Dayspring from on high.”  Dayspring is a term to depict the breaking of dawn or the morning sunrise. How appropriate for Jesus to be called the Dayspring, because He certainly is the light of the world!   Another translation of Luke 1:78 puts it this way: “Because of God’s tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us” (NLT).  

For a moment, let’s think about Jesus as “the morning light from heaven.” Indeed, a sunrise illustrates many truths about Jesus that we can carry into the new year. For one, the sunrise breaks a nighttime of darkness to bring light to everyone. No matter how dark or long the night seems, when morning comes, the light always overcomes the darkness.

That’s exactly what Jesus does!  You may have experienced a period of darkness, but know that “joy comes in the morning” (Psalm 30:5, NKJV).  Yes, “the people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them a light has shined” (Isaiah 9:2).  

Maybe you’ve faced darkness in the form of troubles, challenges, heartache, disappointment, depression, grief, confusion, or even the shadow of death. But know that Jesus is here to be your light today and throughout the new year! Surely, He is here “to guide our feet into the way of peace.”  Let’s walk in the way of His peace in 2026!