"Let there be light

. . . and there was light.  God saw that the light was good"   (Genesis 1:3-4)

I put up the tree last evening and as I plugged in the lights, I said “Let there be light”!  

Beautiful

Soothing

peaceful

All the lights of the holidays 

• the lights on the tree
• the star on the top of the tree
• the candles flickering
• the twinkling beams radiating from the wreaths
• the glow from the garlands
• the radiance from the candles of the menorahs

remind me that it was our God who created LIGHT

Have you ever noticed how many times or ways that LIGHT is involved in the Christmas story? 

the foretelling of Jesus in John 1:6-9 
“There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. . . ⁸ He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that LIGHT. ⁹ That was the true  LIGHT which gives LIGHT to every man coming into the world.  

the announcement to the shepherds

“And in that vicinity there were shepherds living in the field, watching over their flock by night. 9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord flashed and [light ] SHONE all about them, and they were terribly frightened.”   Luke 2:8-9

the guidance of the Magi

Matthew 2:2,9  2 “Where is He Who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His STAR in the east at its rising and have come to worship Him.

When they had listened to the king, they went their way, and behold, the STAR which had been seen in the east in its rising went before them until it came and stood over the place where the young Child was. 10 When they saw the STAR, they were thrilled with ecstatic joy.”  (Matt 2:2,9 AMP)

When Jesus was taken to the temple for dedication:

“Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: 29 "Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. 30 For my eyes have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared in the sight of all people, 32 a LIGHT for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel."  Luke 2:28-32

He created LIGHT

He was LIGHT

He sent His only son as the LIGHT

He asked that we be LIGHT in our own worlds. That we share His LIGHT of the gospel with others.  

Are we?

Am I? 

I’m not sure.  I need to ponder this.  Am I doing all that I can to be a LIGHT to others? 

Paul’s letter to Philippian church reminds us again that we are to be LIGHTs.  He said: 

“Do all you have to do without grumbling or arguing, so that you may be God's children, blameless, sincere and wholesome, living in a warped and diseased world, and SHINING there like LIGHTS in a dark place. For you hold in your hands the very word of life.”  Phil 2:14

Did you catch the end of that?

It says that we hold in our hands the very word of life to a dying warped diseased world. 

We hold LIFE – which is the LIGHT. 

Would you withhold life from someone if it was in your power to give it? 

As I sit here reflecting, I wonder

What can we do to share LIGHT?

Are we SHINING?

Are we FLICKERING in the pitch black darkness to help make someone else’s way a little easier, a little brighter?

What can we do this season to bring LIGHT, hope and joy? 

• ·         A simple sincere smile that LIGHTS up our face as we meet someone, which in turn LIGHTS up their face and then maybe even their heart.
• ·         A card
• ·         A phone call
• ·         A flower
• ·         A gift certificate to their favorite place to dine
• ·         A hug
• ·         A visit to a nursing home
• ·         A visit to those who mourn an empty space at the table this year.  Don't forget to mention their loved one's name.  They need to hear it.   
• ·         A gift certificate to their favorite place
• o   The beauty shop
• o   The grocery store
• o   The gas station
• Anything that will help them realize that someone is thinking of them.
• 
  

I want to be LIGHT breaking through the darkness to others this season. 

This season of LIGHTS. 

Just as last evening, the star on the top of my Christmas tree and the lights reminded me that this is a season of hope, of joy, of life, of LIGHT. 

It’s about time I packed away my sorrows, trauma, and sad memories and put up that tree last night.  I even stopped on my way home from work last evening and bought a beautiful star to put on top of my tree.  For some reason, I HAD to have a star. 

I reasoned that:

The One who provided the star to guide the Wise Men would help guide me.

Would help me find hope, joy, and LIGHT this Christmas season 2011. 

You see – I haven’t had a Christmas tree for years.  
This has always been a depressing and lonely season for me.  It’s been a DARK season for me for years. 

Until last night, when I put up the tree, 
plugged in the lights and announced:

“LET THERE BE LIGHT!” 


And there was LIGHT
And it was so so GOOD