One of my favorite parts about the Christmas season is the lights. I love the garlands Mom puts up all around the house every year. I love the reflection the outdoor lights make in the water at night as I drive by the lake. I love the lighted snowflakes on the lamp posts downtown. As I was experimenting with the camera and taking pictures of the tiny lights on one of our garlands, I was reminded of how we are called to be lights in the world.
Light pierces the darkness. As Christians, we no longer walk in darkness but in light. "Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, 'I am the light of the world: he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life'" (John 8:12). His word has become a light to our paths (Psalm 119:105), and we no more stumble in the darkness of separation from Him.
Yet, in a dark, dark world, not only do we live in the light but also are called to be lights for Christ. "Ye are the light of the world....Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 5:14, 16). We are to "cast off the works of darkness" and instead "put on the armour of light" (Romans 13:12). Are we letting our lights shine for Him? The world is full of individuals who desperately need to hear the good news of the gospel. We can be beacons of light in the midst of a hurting, perishing world.
"But if our gospel be hid,
it is hid to them that are lost:
In whom the god of this world
that blinded the minds of them which believe not,
lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ,
who is the image of God should shine unto them.
For we preach not ourselves,
but Christ Jesus the Lord;
For God, who commanded the light
to shine out of the darkness,
hath shined in our hearts,
to give the light of the knowledge
of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ."
- II Corinthians 4:3-6
Candles aglow; glistening snow -
It's the season of light!
It's the season of light!
Open your eyes; open your heart.
It's the season of light!
It's the season of light!
See the Light in the darkness appear
With the message of hope that the world needs to hear.
Jesus has come; darkness is gone.
It's the season of light!
It's the season of light!
Angels filled the heavens,
Sent from the Father of light,
Bringing good news
Tidings of joy
Offering a hope in the night.
O holy night -
A holy Light has dawned in Bethlehem
Shattering darkness, piercing the night,
Ushering in the season of light!
- Ron Hamilton, Cheryl Reid, Shelton Love
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