The Heart of GodSample

Christmas Lights

  That first Christmas, the Savior’s coming was heralded by light; both the glorious spiritual reality that blazed from heaven, as well as its natural counterpart. Matthew 2:1-2 tells us that the Magi saw the light of His “star in the east” (NIV) and came to do homage to the one born King of the Jews. Luke 2:8-9 describes how the glory of God “shone” (NIV) around the shepherds in the field. And while this luminous radiance which shimmered from heaven beat within the heart of Christ at His birth, its brilliance was described long before He drew His first breath, in Isaiah 9:2. 

The whole purpose of the babe in the manger coming, was to bring light into a blind, lost world bound in the darkness of sin. And though 1 John 5:19 warns us that “the whole world lies in the power of the evil one” (NASB), that same book assures us that, the Son of God came to destroy his works (1 John 3:8, NKJV). Thus, the glory of Christmas unfolded with Jesus breaking through the devil’s darkness, just as had been prophesied centuries before the nativity, “…the people that sat in darkness have seen a great light” (Matthew 4:16 and Isaiah 9:2, NKJV). 

John 1:4-5 echoes this, declaring that, “In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (NIV). Though we often decorate our houses and Christmas trees with beautiful lights that are representative of the God who is light, (1 John 1:5, NKJV), none are as beautiful or breathtaking as Jesus, the Light of the world. “ Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life’” (John 8:12, NASB). 

As you celebrate Christmas, enjoying gifts, decorations, lights, food, and fun — be sure to celebrate the coming of the Light of the world first, and foremost.