JESUS - LIGHT OF THE WORLD

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The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned….For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  —Isaiah 9:2, 6-7 

This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. —Luke 2:12



Christmas is such a magical time, isn’t it? During this season, it seems that a normal and sometimes dreary world gets the pick-me-up it so badly needs. In preparation for Christmas Day, we brave shaky ladders to string lights from roofs and gutters and bushes. We shine grand spotlights on our wreathed front doors and display lit reindeer as if they prance in our yards. Yet others shine candlesticks from each window of their home, while all join in the tradition of hanging globes of lights around their trees. What a beautiful thing, that we unknowingly cling to light during the season in which God gave us the true Light. How fitting. How true. We usher out the darkness of winter with the soft glow of Christmastime as if to silently offer it up as a homage to the Lamb-yet-Savior-of-the-World. 
 
Scripture says, “...on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” And that is exactly what Jesus did! He changed the dark world with His presence. His hope. His joy. His forgiveness. Even thousands of years later, He still in the business of light-bringing!  Doesn’t He still step into times of mourning, only to fill the space with the light of joy while we wait? Doesn’t he replace our despair with hope and our question marks with His answers? How beautiful that He continues to be the Light Bringer, and that it isn’t a story of who He was. 
 
So as we stare at the lights of the season, this Christmas, let’s not miss the moment to worship. This is what Advent is all about — that we stop and pause to declare praise to Jesus, Light of the World, who lovingly came to chase darkness from it. Our Savior has come for those living in shadow, so that He can replace it with the Son.

 “E tenebris lux venit.” Out of darkness cometh Light.


PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Your son to be born. Thank You for not leaving out a single detail so that we can walk through the impossible rejoicing. Teach us, God, to find joy in the moments that make us want to flee. You are for us and You love us. Thank You and amen.
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