In 1865, Phillips Brooks (1835–1893), an Episcopal priest, then rector of Church of the Holy Trinity, Philadelphia, had the opportunity to visit the Holy Land during Christmas. One evening after dinner the group rode on horseback two hours until they broached a hillside and looked down on the town of Bethlehem. It inspired him to write the poem which his music minister put to music, producing “O Little Town of Bethlehem” with that enduring line, “In thy dark streets shineth, the everlasting light; the hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.” In the middle of the darkness, there comes a light. Jesus is the light of God breaking into the darkness of history. Jesus is the light breaking into the darkness of human sin. Jesus is the light of God breaking into your life. The light of Jesus is not a temporary or momentary light. This is the light that never ends. The light shines in the darkness. Darkness cannot beat it back. Darkness cannot overcome light. Light wins. Jesus wins. And his victory is forever. Receive the light of Christ into your dark streets tonight.