One of the many perks of serving as an interim administrator is the opportunity to substitute teach—typically as a last resort! This week, after exhausting the list of wonderful people willing to receive a call or text at 6:00 a.m. and consider changing all their plans for the next ten hours to bail you out, I changed my own plans for the day and stepped in. (Full transparency: one person texted back that she could cover the afternoon—an offer I quickly accepted!)
My day started as wonderfully as possible: Kindergarten P.E. If I wasn’t fully awake when the children ran into the gym, I certainly was after modeling jump-roping techniques, leading a round of Dog Catcher, and demonstrating the correct basepaths for kickball.
The next lesson in 5th grade science, however, allowed me to learn something new about the light of Christmas. Here’s the story.
A scientific phenomena
The superbly designed substitute lesson plan was on bioluminescence—the natural ability of living organisms to produce and emit light through a chemical reaction inside their bodies. This reaction typically involves a light-emitting molecule called luciferin and an enzyme called luciferase, which together generate light without producing significant heat.
Bioluminescence is most commonly observed in organisms like fireflies (a family of beetles magically prevalent in my corner of God’s creation every summer), certain deep-sea fish (take a peek at the wonderfully weird deep anglerfish), fungi, and some bacteria. These organisms use light for purposes such as attracting mates, deterring predators, or luring prey. Students enjoyed researching the different organisms that both produce and emit light.
Our conversation eventually turned to current scientific efforts to tweak the genetic makeup of plants to make them glow. One story we explored described research on “glow-in-the-dark” plants and the potential of someday replacing city streetlights.
At the end of our time together, I asked students two questions: Why can’t humans be bioluminescent? and What is the difference between natural light and artificial light?
A divine phenomena
There were many thoughtful responses: “Natural light is unpredictable,” “We can’t produce or emit light,” “Artificial light is controllable but not complete.” Then came the answer a teacher at a school that proclaims the sovereignty of God is always hoping for: “Natural light is God’s light.”
I would have been content to end class right there. But another student, with that familiar quizzical look and eyes staring off into that place of deep thought, said, “Actually … there was a human who was bioluminescent.”
Before I could respond, the rest of the class shouted in unison: “Jesus!”
His light is not artificial or temporary—it is life-giving, eternal, and transformative. In the same way that luciferin and luciferase work together to create light without heat, Christ’s presence brings warmth without harm, hope without fear, and guidance without confusion.
As we approach Christmas, this natural wonder of bioluminescence offers a beautiful metaphor for the season. Just as bioluminescent organisms shine in the deepest oceans and darkest nights, Jesus came as the Light of the World to pierce the darkness of sin and despair. His light is not artificial or temporary—it is life-giving, eternal, and transformative. In the same way that luciferin and luciferase work together to create light without heat, Christ’s presence brings warmth without harm, hope without fear, and guidance without confusion.
This Christmas, may we reflect on how His light calls us to shine within our own spheres of influence, illuminating the lives of others with love, grace, and truth.
Merry Christmas from all of us at CACE!
Tim
One Comment on “Bioluminescence and Christmas?”
Wonderful article! Just maybe you could get hired as a science teacher!