The Light and Glory of God

Christmas ~ a time with family and friends, a time to dress up the home in shiny array and eat food that is normally stayed away from. Even though I usually go in debt over it all, it is my favorite time of the year.

This month I was given the opportunity to look a little deeper at the meaning of Christmas in the messages of Luke 2. I have come to see a different perspective of Christmas, which is to look beyond my family and friends and myself and look at the people who I don't know with unselfish needs, like the alone and forgotten the outcasts, the ordinary who are taken for granted and those who suddenly and unexpectedly find them-selves in great need. Christmas, The Season of Great Joy, is for many a sad and lonely time that's more than likely very dark and depressing.

God revealed to me something very important. That his followers are to love and be of good service to all people; to give to those in great need, like the hurting, the outcast, the forgotten and the lost who need to find the way. The simple smile or look of hope or comfort that comes across a face of someone in need would be a great reward to the one that gives it. Wouldn't you say it's better to give than to receive?

In this week's scripture, Simeon's wish was to see Israel's Savior before he died. God fulfilled his wish. Shouldn't it be our wish to share God's light to others before we die?

A friend of my family lost her 14-year-old son in an unfortunate accident this past week. She proudly shared with me the numerous e-mails of sympathy received from friends and other acquaintances about her son. She had no idea that her young son had influenced so many with his open faith in the Lord and his daily example of someone who followed Jesus. These young people expressed over and over the influence he had on them. Even though she lost her dear son, she is Praising God for the mark he has left on the lives of others.

May we also Praise God for his mark ~ which is Jesus,

and for those who help the lost, the forgotten

and the outcasts see the Light and Glory of God.

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Christmas is here! Finally, you can take down your flashy lights, give those gifts that you've been hiding away and relax. The holiDAZE is over! Isn't it strange that a holiday created to remember the birth of our savoir can become a hectic, stress filled time of year that we can't wait to be over? I challenge you today to take some time and reflect on the true meaning of this holiday season. Remember that on this day, 2000 years ago, the light of the world stepped in from heaven to begin His journey to the cross of our salvation. Be assured that you are safe now because of His sacrifice for you. He has given us freedom from our sin and a new path back to our Father in heaven. Please take today to remember God's gift to us; His son, the light of the world. Happy Birthday Jesus! Hope you all had a very merry Christmas and you continue to pursue Jesus in all that you do.

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Jesus is the light of the world. Centuries before His birth prophets predicted a light coming to the world, and from the moment of His birth until He returns, He gives light to those walking in darkness. The star shining over the infant Jesus' manger bed in the stable provided more than direction to the wise men and others who came to His side. The light that shone over Bethlehem that night was a holy announcement to the world. No longer would men have to wander lost in their sin, for there was a light to shine hope into their darkness.

While we don't have the star shining over us to remind us of the newborn Savior we celebrate this time of year, we do have the promises He left us. While we may not feel like anything extraordinary in the face of such a miraculous birth and divine child, we do have the light of heaven shining through us. We are His children, and the light that we shine into the world can give guidance and hope to those around us who are still wandering in darkness. At Christmastime and throughout the year, let us make it our mission to shine a light that will not be dimmed into the hearts of everyone we meet.

Holy Father, help us to see the light you give us. Help us to help others see the light you give as it shines through us. Be the light in our world. Amen.

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Light of the World

It seems to me that the most defining characteristic of light is that it reveals. We think in terms of vision and light. When facing a problem, and the solution presents itself suddenly, we say "a light-bulb came on", or "oh, I see!" That which was in darkness has been revealed. In that sense all of our senses, our minds and our hearts are "eyes", they let us "see" and experience the things around us, as well as things we cannot see, or touch. But they can only receive, to experience anything there must be a source of illumination. I think that is what Jesus meant when He said "I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life" (John 8:12), He is not only a light that reveals the world as it is, He is the only Light that reveals God. For with God is life, and to reach Him you have to see Him, and to see Him, you must have Light. In one of the most profound statements I have ever read, C.S. Lewis wrote "I believe in Christianity as I believe in the rising sun; not because I see it, but by it I can see all else."

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Luke 2:25-35 tells the story of a righteous man named Simeon. Simeon was told by the Holy Spirit that he would not die until he saw the Messiah. When he saw Jesus, he praised God by saying, "Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel" (Luke 2:29-32). Simeon's faith led him to believe that he had seen the Messiah, the light of the world. He knew that the prophecy was fulfilled when he saw Jesus and knew that God had kept His word. Because of this, I believe that Simeon died a happy man. Too many times we lose our way because we don't allow the light to shine in. Even though our life may be clouded by troubles, the love of Jesus lights the way. When we enter a dark room, we have the assurance that there is a switch we can flip to produce light. The same is true with Jesus. Note that Simeon says that He is a light for all, because he included Gentiles and the Israelites. Every day, and especially during Christmas, this is a reminder to me that Jesus came into the world to be a light to everyone. During the times of darkness, Jesus lights the way, beckoning to us to follow him. It is my hope that everyone can experience the light of Jesus during this holiday season.

Merry Christmas!

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