I’m noticing something this year at Christmas as I drive down the long street in my neighborhood before turning onto my little street. Light. Maybe one third of the houses are decorating with light. It’s dark as I drive down this street. Now, when you turn onto my street, there is light. Only one house isn’t decorated. My kids put up our lights this year and they are simple and beautiful.
I’ve kept the Christmas tree light this entire month. I stare at it now, enjoying its simplicity and peace. As the month went on, more and more of the strings of the lights died. Now it is two strands..time for a new tree. Now one. It’s pretty funny.
I love watching from my place at the couch out my window as the sun lightens the dark morning. Or as darkness falls slowly as night approaches. Milo seems to feel the same way.
My pastor recently spoke of the wise men and I noticed something. Zechariah was visited by Gabriel. Mary also was visited by Gabriel. (Luke’s story) Joseph was visited in his dreams THREE times. (Matthew’s story) The shepherds were visited by an angel and the glory of the Lord SHONE. Can you imagine the light of a multitude of angels? Such light. (Luke’s story) The wise men were given a star. A star so bright that they followed it to Bethlehem. A star that guided them to the Savior of the world. (Matthew’s story) Read with me John’s description of Jesus.
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.”
John 1:1-5 NASB1995
Life and light are found through Jesus, aren’t they? I have been in a season of just not having the right words. You can tell, right? Either the mind is blank or when words come, your audience is blank.
“There came a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to testify about the Light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the Light, but he came to testify about the Light. There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man. He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.”
John 1:6-13 NASB1995
Jesus came to free us from the darkness. Not just us. We are meant to be a witness like John and testify about Jesus. Our lives testify to something. Think about the Light Jesus brought with him. You see what it says, The Light enlightens every man. We make a choice whether or not to receive Him and become His child. Believe and be born of God. In times in my life when fear threatened to overwhelm me and felt very dark, these next verses bring hope again and again.
“Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives. For assuredly He does not give help to angels, but He gives help to the descendant of Abraham. Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted.”
Hebrews 2:14-18 NASB1995
Jesus, as a man, shared in our suffering. Yet, He also triumphed over death. “…and free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives.” Yes, just read that again. Oooo, and think of the curse that Adam was given in the garden. “The ground is cursed because of you.” Genesis 3:17 Painful work, thorns and thistles, sweat. dust. Jesus’ life on this earth began in light. He brought freedom. He brought light to our fears, sadness, and questions. As he died on the cross, he crushed the head of the snake. We walk in that freedom.
One more thought, light also uncovers things that like to hide in the dark. In the darkness, my floors look perfect. In the light they are scuffed, full of fluff, and I can’t think of anything else to rhyme. Haha. When you let Jesus to shine the light in all your previously hidden things, that resurrection power can really do the work. For some reason, we like to hide (see Genesis 3), but true freedom and restoration come when we give it all to Jesus. Here is where the true change comes.
God has been revealing a thought process in me and I’m asking him to show me every time. Let’s root this out. Honestly, it doesn’t even make sense when brought to the light. Maybe there is something here for you as well. Take some time today, reflect on these verses, and ask the Lord what needs His touch and light.
Peace.
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