The Light of Christmas (A Christmas Devotional)
By: Kristen L. McNulty
Reprint rights available on request. Email the author at kristenmcnulty@hotmail.com.
If there was ever a reality show that I could picture myself someday on, I'd say the Great Christmas Light Fight would be it. There's something about Christmas lights that I love. The way that at the darkest time of the year, all it takes is lights from one or two houses to change the atmosphere of an entire neighborhood from gloomy to hopeful from dark to light.
To me it's such a beautiful reflection to what Christmas is really all about. That in the darkest time of history, a baby was born and that baby brought a light so bright it hasn't been extinguished even 2000 and some years later.
Walking In Darkness
When the prophet Isaiah was foretelling of the birth of the Savior he put it this way:
“The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine.” Isaiah 9:2
That prophecy was fulfilled on that very first Christmas, when Jesus the light of the world, God in human flesh, stepped on the scene. The Apostle John described Jesus' arrival this way:
"The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it." John 1:4-5
The Light From Jesus
For the people of Israel who were waiting for their King to step onto the scene, Jesus' light shined on God's plan for their hope and their future and showed how hundreds of years of prophecy was fulfilled in one baby.
For those of us spiritually dead, separated from God, Jesus' light illuminates the cross, showing us that we don't need to pay for the forgiveness of our sins, but rather just accept that sacrifice that has already been given, which brings eternal life when accepted.
For those of us feeling hopeless and lost because of our circumstances, Jesus' light shines in our darkness, reminding us we are not alone and directing the path our feet should take.
In John 8:12, Jesus said:
“I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won't have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”
When You Invite Jesus In
I've seen this come true over and over again in my life. When you invite Jesus in and follow Him, you might not be handed a perfect life, but you're given something so much greater than that. Jesus' light sends the darkness running, it strengthens those who are weary, gives peace to those who are troubled, brings life in the valley of the shadow of death, and changes our lives forever as a bridge is built between God and man, offering anyone who wants to accept it, relationship with God the Father.
That's what O Holy Night is talking about when we sing "A thrill of hope, a weary world rejoices". That's what Hark the Herald Angels Sings is meaning when we sing "Light and life to all He brings, risen with healing in His wings". That's what the Christmas lights that decorate our streets point towards, the light of the world, whose light cannot be extinguished no matter how dark it gets outside.
If you haven't yet experienced for yourself the change in your life when the light of the world illuminates everything, there is no better time than Christmas to accept that gift. Pray to Jesus and invite Him into your life, to forgive you of your sins and help you to follow Him. If you do, get ready for a flood of light to enter your life and change it forever.
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