In two days, we will be celebrating what is very likely the most well-known holiday in the Western world. No doubt many reading this email have either bought presents for loved ones, put up decorations, decorated a Christmas tree, or maybe even baked some Christmas cookies. (Maybe you’ve done all of those things).
But for me, one of the nicest things about Christmas is the wonderful lights that many put up inside and outside their homes. On our 30-minute commute to church, we pass a multitude of houses that have been decorated in this way. Some make us giggle because of how funny they look, and others make us say “woooow,” because of just how beautiful and breathtaking they are.
I’m not sure of the exact reason why I love these lights so much; maybe it’s because of the different colors represented, or how they have been neatly strung out along a fence or a door frame. Either way, when it is a cold, dark night, they stand out and seem to bring warmth just by looking at them.
But not only that, these beautiful lights are a great illustration of Christ, the “Light of the world.” In the first chapter of John’s Gospel, John says, “In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:4-5). Jesus is the inextinguishable light that nothing, not even all the powers of Hell, can overcome. And although this world, “with troubles filled,” can be a scary place at times, those of us who belong to Christ do not need to be afraid, because we have the Light of life, and when we follow Him, we will never “walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12).
So, dear reader, every time you see those beautiful Christmas lights this season, take time to think of the amazing blessing it is to belong to the True Light, who has come into the world to save you from the darkness. May God bless you with a very merry Christmas this year.
-Shaun M. Hewlett