The lights are on . . .

Isn't it great to drive around and look at all the houses with Christmas light. (Except for the Pagans, who sneakily hang their lighted Pentagrams in celebration of the Winter Solstice.) We have a practice of criticizing the glistening strings that adorn peoples humble houses. We especially like to make fun of trees. Have you ever noticed the terrifying floating swirling mass of lights people string around the outside of their tree in the front yard with no leaves. They've done it for years and haven't added any strings so the swirl stops halfway up, because the tree kept growing. That drives me nuts. What doesn't drive me nuts is that all of it is an attempt to "Spread the Light of Christmas Joy"

I know, the celebration of lights goes back for thousands of years. The Romans even had a celebration (Dec 25th) to commemorate "The Invincible Sun". The Egyptians, Celts, Norse, and many others all had celebrations to end the long nights and welcome back the sun for longer days, fertility, and agricultural prosperity.

All of this is a great attempt, and shows our need, as fallen people for a new light in our lives. It shows how all people are searching for and have a deep desire to worship God. We realize we live in a dark world and need something greater than us to save us from the darkness. Though it falls extremely short of what is truly needed for us.

The prophet Isaiah, and others, taught about our need and promised a solution, "the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned." (Isaiah 9:1-2)  Jesus told Nicodemus, an expert in Jewish religion, "Light has come into the world, but men love darkness instead of light because their deeds are evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear their deeds will be exposed." (John 3:19-20) A little later Jesus said, "I am the Light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." (John 8:12)

So if Jesus is the "Light of the World" lets look back at a few of those verses again, but we are going to replace "light" with "Jesus".

Isaiah 9 The people living in darkness have seen a great [Jesus].
John 3:19-20 [Jesus] has come into the World, but men love darkness instead of [Him] because their deeds are evil. Everyone who does evil hates [Jesus], and will not come into [Him] for fear their deeds will be exposed.

This year, since it is the celebration of new beginnings, lets put our faith into the one who is the Light of World. Let's celebrate the true "Invincible Son" who proved it by showing his power over death and still lives today. He isn't scary at all (at least not for those who are in him) and welcomes everyone into his life and light. "But if we walk in the light [God the Father], as he [Jesus] is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin." 1 John 1:7

As we see the lights on houses, weird looking trees, and lined driveways with candy canes, remember they are all an attempt to show the True Light of the World that offers life, Jesus.