I have been hearing lots of people talking about their Christmas plans—where they will be, what they will do, who will be coming home, etc. Ours are still up in the air at this point, but Dick and I agree, we want to attend the Christmas Eve service at our church.
“All I really need to make Christmas Eve meaningful is to go to church, light a candle and sing ‘Silent Night’,” my husband, Dick said, during a conversation we had about past Christmas Eves.
There really is something special about those moments at the end of the evening, standing in a darkened church, passing the gift of light to our neighbor while singing the old, familiar words.
Jesus says that He is the Light of the world. Whoever follows Him will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life." (John 8:12) When we walk close to Jesus, our lives fill with His light. He illuminates the path we are to follow, His Word reveals right from wrong, and His Spirit irradiates our fears.
Everyone faces trials--times of confusion about what to do, uncertainty regarding where to turn, and fear of what lies ahead. It is then that people are drawn to wise and compassionate friends who exude peace, despite life’s storms.
In Matthew 5: 14-16 Jesus says, “You are like light for the whole world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one lights a lamp and puts it under a bowl; instead, it is put on the lampstand, where it gives light for everyone in the house. In the same way your light must shine before people, so that they will see the good things you do and praise your Father in heaven.”
When we follow Jesus, we become light for the whole world, including our friends and loved ones who are struggling. We can be that friend—that light—and direct them to the “Son of God, Love’s pure light”.
Light comes in many forms—solar jar lights illuminate the path to our house, warm lamplight welcomes us home, and steady white light allows us to read or work more easily. Being “light for the whole world” can be just as varied as the types of lights we encounter every day. We may be “lighting” the way to Jesus. Perhaps we are that welcoming beacon encouraging others to “come back home” to Him. Or, we may be the light God uses to help others better understand His Word.
This Christmas season let’s thank God for sending Jesus to be our Light in the darkness and ask Him to let His light shine through us wherever and whenever His Light is needed.
Be encouraged!
