In our
family, birthdays are traditionally celebrated by lighting candles on a
birthday cake and singing the “Happy Birthday” song. I can’t tell you what I
received as a birthday gift even a year ago, let alone ten years ago or 50 years
ago. But I can remember many, many occasions of blowing out the candles on a
cake surrounded by loved ones singing “Happy Birthday”.
Candles play
a prominent role during Advent—the Advent wreath is lighted each week at church,
electric and battery-powered candles are placed in windows to welcome visitors,
and candles grace many mantles, giving off their memory-inducing scents of the
season. Candles flicker on the faces of loved ones gathered around our dinner
tables and paint our fellow worshippers with a golden glow during the Christmas
Eve candlelight service.
During Jesus’
time on Earth, candles had far more practical uses. They provided essential
light for daily activities like reading, working, walking safely at night. Candles
helped to dispel fear, warn of danger, and reveal obstacles.
It is easy
to see why Jesus calls himself “The Light of the World.” (John 8:12) He helps
us find our way spiritually, reveals hidden traps and dangers, and brightens
our outlook on life.
Candles provide
light by giving up themselves. Jesus gave himself so that the world could see,
in his death and resurrection, the love of God. That’s what light does. It
helps us see! Jesus showed us God’s love by dying on the cross for our sins!
The second
half of John 8:12 shares Jesus’ promise that we will never walk in darkness. He
is always with us, guiding us, helping us to see our way, even when we go through
difficult circumstances.
There is a
condition attached to this promise--we must be following him. For Jesus’ light to
shine on our lives, we must be following him.
I can
remember times when a storm has knocked out the power and I had to follow
someone carrying a candle. If I veered away from the person with the candle, or
tried to get ahead of them, I found myself stumbling in the dark. That’s how it
is with following Jesus. We need to stay close beside him and let his light
lead us.
As we celebrate
the birth of Jesus by lighting candles this Christmas, may we remember why—because
Jesus is the Light shining in the darkness. May you walk in His light this
season and always.
Be
encouraged!
Pam©2016 Pamela D. Williams
