The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them as light shined... For to us a child is born, to us a son is given... Isaiah 9:2, 4

Christmas lights. Smile. For some reason they create in us a crazed eagerness to scour through pushy people in overcrowded stores. They generate tension between you and the others who want them as you stand rummaging through to find the right number, size, and shape of the lights to adorn your house this Christmas season. Then theres the thrill of crawling up a shaky ladder to properly attach the strand of lights to your home. Once they’re hanging from the rooftop you sit back (or fall to your knees) praying they still work. Now there is more tension, this time between you and your husband. And finally the previously unrecognized or denied reality of receiving Decembers electric bill, double what it normally runs. Ah, the joy of Christmas. Smile. Despite the occasional negative aspects of hanging Christmas lights, there is no refuting the complete joy and pleasure of seeing them embellish the city streets. The joys of helping mom or dad pick out the good strands and hanging them from the roof above. The memories of the extra long drive to the neighboring city brightly lit and decorated beyond comparison. Around the world, lights are a central feature of Christmas. These very lights, causing us such joy and strife during the Christmas season were birthed from the Christmas story itself. When Jesus was born, the people had been living in darkness for thousands of years. They had no hope of salvation apart from following a rigid law, which most found impossible to do. Jesus came as the Light of the World. His birth that night meant they now had hope. This Christmas Light involved no shopping. No ladders. It wasnt even the most widely seen display. No. Instead, this Christmas Light brought peace. Hope. Joy. Salvation! As you drive around observing the beautiful lights this Christmas season, be reminded of the Light revealed two thousand years ago. Stop and give thanks for what this Light has meant for you and your family. Hope. Joy. Salvation.

Prayer

I came all this way for a reason. Today is the day of salvation. Trust Jesus to save you. Then be sincere as God knows a pretender. --Kirk Cameron

• Bible Readings for the Week Ahead:
• Monday: John 3:16
• Tuesday: John 1:48
• Wednesday: Romans 15:13
• Thursday: John 1:29
• Friday: Matthew 5:14-16
• Saturday: Luke 1:26-38
• Sunday: Luke 2:1-20