A Global Advent: 25 Stories of God With Us Around the WorldSample

It’s hard to imagine Christmas without thinking of lights. Glimmering from Christmas trees or greenery, displayed on rooftops or solitary candles, lights bring beauty to the world and are central to our celebrations during Advent.

Have you ever been to a candlelight service at a church during the Christmas season? It’s a beautiful sight to see!

The dark sanctuary throbs with the orange glow of that first candle when it’s lit. Then, as the small flame of the single candle ignites the next dry wick, the light increases. Shadows of the congregation dance against the walls as wick by newly lit wick, the sanctuary becomes ablaze with light. Soon, each person in the church holds a burning candle in their hands. The entire space transforms.

"Light shines in the darkness and the darkness cannot overcome it."(John 1:5).

Shining our light as believers is a natural outworking of our faith. In fact, as God’s love transforms our hearts, it’s difficult to hide the change.

Photo Caption: Meredith holds her Bible on the way to church.

9-year-old Meredith in Colombia encountered God’s love when she started to attend a Compassion centre, and later attend church. As she learned about Jesus and the Bible, there was a spillover effect in the lives of those around her. The light that changed her was impossible to hide, and it set her family spiritually ablaze!

Her brother and single mom started to notice her joy when she returned from the centre. Soon, they were attending church with Meredith and seeing changes in their lives as God’s love transformed them too.

In the same way that a single candle illuminates a room and commands attention, Meredith’s faith and infectious love for God changed her family.

Photo Caption: Meredith prays with friends at her Compassion centre in Colombia.

Stories of faith ignited and shared, like Meredith’s, remind us that Jesus came as the light of the world and that His light breaks through the darkness and brings us life.

What a beautiful, comforting truth: His light is for all people. No matter where they live, no matter their history and no matter their age.

Today, find a moment to light a candle. As it burns and flickers, remember that Jesus is present with you and that He came to give the light of life. Let the burning candle remind and encourage you that your life is a light to others.