The Light

"The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, And upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death Light has dawned." (Matthew 4:16 NKJ [re: Isaiah 9:2])

Some folks like the darkness, but I'm not one of them. Darkness is anathema in my book! I'm not afraid of the dark. I do not worry about things that go bump in the night. I simply do not enjoy places or rooms or circumstances where there is no light.

In fact, I think our American Declaration of Independence should include "the pursuit of light." Let's face facts, there are billions of people around the world sitting in darkness who need the great light of Christmas. They are living in the shadow of death and need the Light of Christmas to dawn upon them.

For some it's the darkness of ignorance; knowing nothing of the Christmas story. For others, it’s the darkness of unbelief; refusing to accept the Truth and receive the Christmas child. For still others, it is the darkness of deception; believing schemes and philosophies that reject or distort the Christ of Christmas.

The Prophet Isaiah was telling his readers that Messiah, God's Light, would shine in the darkest regions of Naphtali and Zebulon, and the Gentiles would also see his light. One day, God's Light would shine "tidings of great joy" to the whole world. And Matthew tells us that Jesus Christ fulfilled Isaiah's prophecy.

All too often we consider the God of the Old Testament as harsh and judgmental, ready to blast us out of existence when we fail. And we rarely see God as the Light who shines in the darkness of our lives offering hope and joy. But our God, seen in both Old and New Testaments, is the Light who illuminates the darkness around us and rejoices when we walk in his light.

Knowing the Child who lay in the manger that first Christmas day, and knowing that he is the Light of the world, is more valuable than precious jewels. Sure we are free to continue in the darkness of ignorance, unbelief and deception, but the Light has dawned in the shadow of death. It illuminates the path to life.

Light -- he who is the Light -- shines for all the world to see. But if we focus on our darkness, we will miss his light. And his star doesn't merely shine on Christmas Day, but shines throughout our lives, guiding us to everlasting joy.

Dear Father, thank you for the Light of Christmas. Illuminate our minds and lives that we may truly see how we should live. I pray this in the name of Jesus. AMEN 

Let the Light of Christmas shine in your life today,