As we enter into the season of Christmas and advent, one of my favorite activities is to drive around town to see the Christmas lights displayed. There’s just something so beautiful in how the lights twinkle and sparkle and illuminate the darkness with their beauty.
My house, inside and out, is resplendent with decorations reflecting the holiday season. But the trees, displays, doors, mantels, and decor would simply be boring to me without the lights to enhance their beauty.
And lights remind me of that first Christmas miracle: for when the Savior was born, God lit up the heavens in a glorious announcement of His Son’s birth. Not only were the shepherds drawn to this great light after their encounter with the angels, but the wisemen traveled afar in search of this newborn King to adore and worship Him. “Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, ‘Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.’” (Matthew 2:1-2) The brilliant star led these men to the birth of Jesus, the King.
In our own lives we should pause, reflect, and seek Him. We, like the magi and shepherds, should look for His great light and seek out the King in this holiday season and worship Him.
Christmas lights also remind me of God’s creation. “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. And the earth was a formless and desolate emptiness, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. Then God said, “Let there be light!” (Genesis 1:1-3)
In the same way, we are like that earth, formless and void and lost in darkness. We are truly empty and void of real life until the Spirit of God hovers over our dark lives and imparts His life and declares, “Let there be light.”
Jesus declared Himself be the Light of the world. He commands us to follow in His footsteps so that we no longer live without purpose and meaning. And instead, we reflect God’s glory and goodness. As we follow Him, we can reflect His light all around us.
In all our darkness, God always shines His light into our world and He wants to personally encounter each of us. His light is our light. He changes our lives with the beauty of His light and His Presence. And when we encounter that “Light of the world,” like the shepherds and wisemen, we are enthralled by His beauty and can’t help but worship the King of glory. Then we can’t help but follow after Him and walk in His ways.
His light always lights up our darkness!
This year as you hang your Christmas lights decorating trees or mantles or even hanging lights outside, may you be reminded of the True Light that has come and may Christ be revealed to you afresh.
Beloved:
Come and seek Me. Set aside the busyness until you find Me. I am the Light of the world and I have come to illuminate all of your darkness. There is no fear with Me in the light. There is no hardship or darkness too great but that I bring My Presence and My hope to you. As you follow after Me, you in turn, can shed My glory on others. Let all the Christmas lights remind you of My Presence and goodness. Look at them with fresh eyes of wonder and hope. You are My beloved.
“And God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light.” (Genesis 1:3)
“We saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.” (Matthew 2: 2)
“I am the Light of the world. Whoever follows Me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)
