The Lights of Christmas

John 1:1-5, 8:12, Genesis 1:1-5, Luke 2:8-15, Matthew 1:1-11

Eternal Word,

Why do we have lights at Christmas? I think that it’s because of the lights of that first Christmas when You entered the world. Heaven shone the light of the angels upon the shepherds. Eternal Father positioned the star whose light led the wise men from the East to the house where You were staying. You are the Light of the world, and the lights celebrate Your arrival to a sin darkened planet.

It’s interesting to observe the secularization of Your birthday. I remember a book someone wrote a few years ago titled, "The War on Christmas." They author described the symbols of Your birth that are no longer politically correct, and that are being cast aside in an attempt to remove You from our lives. But in spite of all the anti-Christmas and anti-Christ rhetoric, Christmas fighters have not mentioned or attempted to ban one of Your most important religious symbols of the season. It’s the lights! Your light may be one of the most important symbols of this season.

"In the beginning was the Word." Your creative word called this world into existence out of nothing, proclaiming, "Let there be light!" Sometime ago I read that of the 800,000 words in the English language an average person knows 10,000 words and uses 5,000 per day. You spoke Your creative word, and worlds came into existence. Only God can do that, and You did.

Even the godless have to reckon with Your reality. I once read that near the end of his life, the godless philosopher, Jean-Paul Sartre, told someone: "I do not feel that I am the product of chance, a speck of dust in the universe, but someone who was expected, prepared, prefigured. In short, a being whom only a Creator could put here; and this idea of a creating hand refers to God."

From the beginning of time, You were consumed with Light. You live in Light. Your first Word of creation was light, and I along with John recognize You as the Light. You are the Light of the world. Light has conquered darkness! Light conquered darkness in Creation. Light conquers the darkness of sinful culture from the first century to today.

Jesus, Light of the world, You are our victory over darkness. That’s why we have lights at Christmas. You are the Light of Salvation. You are the Light of the World. Light my world this Christmas. Help me to reflect Your Light to another.

In the Name of the One who is Eternal Light,

Amen.