John 8:12
“Jesus 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.’”
During the holidays, many families get in their cars for a drive around town or even out of town to take in the Christmas lights displayed on houses, shops and streets. One year, my husband and I got on an airplane and flew all the way to England during the Christmas season to take in the phenomenal lights displayed in London. People all over the world string lights at Christmastime, lights that brighten and cheer the Winter darkness. Even those who don’t believe in Jesus put up lights. Besides adding to the festive spirit of the season, why do we do it? To offer us a bit of hope? If ever we need a symbol of hope, this year would be it! Perhaps the lights do provide that, at least temporarily, until they come down again at the end of the season. But, in reality, putting the lights up outside or turning the lights on inside is our doing. We turn on the switch, but the light that emanates is artificial, something of our own making.
In ancient Bethlehem, there was no light except what came from oil lamps. The light that shown on the night Jesus was born came from God Himself. It was so bright it guided the shepherds to the Babe in a manger. It offered secure footing as they walked, climbed the hills, and crossed the streams until they came to Bethlehem. The shepherds knew when they had reached their destination by God’s light that shown from above. In the dark streets of Bethlehem, the everlasting Light that came from God Himself shone down on Jesus, the only One who could offer Hope while casting out darkness.
“O little town of Bethlehem
How still we see thee lie
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by
Yet in thy dark streets shineth
The everlasting Light
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee tonight.”
Looking at the world around us that seems so dark, there are days when we may be given to fear. Perhaps our circumstances right now—losing a loved one, a dire financial situation, a serious illness or perhaps a betrayal— are such that we see no hope. Don’t give up, do not fear! Or perhaps you are at a place where you don’t feel loved by God, that you are unworthy of His love and forgiveness and are afraid He could never love you because of the way you are. Do not fear! All the hopes and fears that we’ve been carrying around were met in Jesus that night in Bethlehem. Alleluia!
Dear God, thank You for making a way for us to be released from fear and to have Hope in this dark world—the Hope that is offered in Jesus. Let the lights that we see and enjoy this Christmas, remind us of Your perfect Light that never dims, never goes out. In Jesus we pray. Amen.
