Wednesday, December 22, 2010

The True Light of Christmas

John 1:9 - The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.

It was odd when I read this scripture. I've read it numerous times but was struck as if I'd never seen it before...the word light. And this coming just before our Christmas. John the Apostle was was writing about Jesus, the Light that was coming into the world. Jesus had already been born but John was talking about Jesus' coming into His ministry and revealing Himself. John was the voice in the wilderness alerting the people of this true Light.  

Then I was also somehow guided to Genesis 1:3 where the first thing God puts into this earth is light. Then God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light. Wow, what a prophetic deed by God way back then, one that solidifies my thoughts about everything in the Bible being intricately orchestrated. I see this as a precursor to God sending His Son into the world 2,000 years later to be the true Light of the world, to shine upon the darkness. Oh, so many scriptures regarding light! Bear with me. Better yet, soak it all in. I hope it all makes sense.

Listen to this. Long after Genesis 1:3, John 1 tells us this: In the beginning [when God said "Let there be light"] was the Word [Jesus], and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him [Jesus], and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it (John 1:1-5). A little later in this chapter John tells us And the Word [the Light] became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth (verse 14). Can anything glorious be experienced in the darkness of evil? 

The Light came into the world to be revealed by Himself (the truth). The Light also came to reveal the sin in men's hearts (darkness) and to be the Light on our path (Psalm 119:105) to guide us (into truth). The Light came by design to save all mankind. That's what makes Christmas so special. It's a reminder of all that God has done for us...from creation to the end of life as we know it, from Genesis to Revelation...taking us from death to life. How He loved us so much He sent His Son to this world. That means Jesus had to step down from His throne and into this messed up world. He had to withstand the abuse only sinful man could bring. 

We don't need to live in our own darkness, though. We can step out of it and into the Light of Christ. When we do, truth becomes our friend and darkness fades. We can clearly see the truth because of the Light. Such simplicity, so neatly arranged by God, yet so complicated by our human minds. ...the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed... (John 3:19-20). What a powerfully true statement. Ask those who have come out of the darkness into the marvelous light.

Oh, we don't all look at ourselves as evil, but without Christ we are. Without His light, without His truth, we are. Another one of God's simple truths complicated. It's a very simple solution: let the Light of Christ be revealed in your hearts. Let the light expose your sin so you may be forgiven by your acceptance of Christ. Let your heart be anguished by what the darkness holds so dear and let the light of truth penetrate your being and bring you peace.

We talk about joy and peace at Christmas. The joy and peace comes from this boy Child who when born brought the joy and peace for this world to anyone who wants it. He offers it to each one of us. He asks us to step into His light and cast aside our own personal darkness, our own torment, our own sin, for the peace and joy and light He offers. 

He came with peace and joy but He also comes with judgment. That judgment, thankfully, is overshadowed by forgiveness if we allow the light to expose our sins. We have hope and can attain the peace and joy when we let the Light enter into our lives.  

Christmas is only a breath away and we will be celebrating this Light. Oh, I could talk about all the Christmas lights on houses and on our trees, but I'm not going to go there. Those lights are pretty (sometimes pretty awful) but Jesus' light is the true Christmas Light. Jesus Himself told us in John 8:12 - "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life." 

Why is it, I got to thinking, that it is in literal darkness we can sometimes be uneasy? Because we can't see; we don't know what might lurk around the corner. I'm not trying to suggest I'm frightened of the dark, but it happens to be a time when we seem to take more precautions. We turn on a light...we carry a flashlight...we build a fire. When we do we can see and a sense of safety comes upon us.  Psalm 27:1 - The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? He can be our light if we allow Him.

Look for Jesus this year in the midst of the Silent Night, Holy Nights and Joy to the Worlds. Listen carefully to the words of the songs we sing at Christmas, those we have known for so many years. Take the words to any of the Christmas songs...not about Santa, trees or reindeer, but Jesus...and plant them in your heart. Let your hearts be moved by the words. Let the love of Christ fill your hearts and let His light shine more brightly this year than any other. 

Every year our church has a Christmas Eve candelight service, like I'm sure many do. We sit in darkness with our unlit candles and later one candle is lit and little by little we are surrounded by a marvelous light. The symbolism is magnificent. It started with one Light shining in this world and it has reached out to one person at a time. I pray this year the Light is revealed in everyone's heart. 

2Corinthians 4:6 - For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 

1 comment:

  1. I love this ... and I love that there is so much of the same we are both thinkingoutloud about!

    ReplyDelete