Your Christmas Lights Chase The Darkness Away
On a typical evening, like most neighborhoods, ours is relatively dark. Sparsely spaced streetlights and occasional porch lights provide minimal visibility. Come Christmastime, however, all that changes. Light is everywhere! Some people decorate their houses tastefully. Others look like something out of Chevy Chase’s “Christmas Vacation.” Still others are magnificent displays of blinking lights choreographed to Christmas music. Our family loves driving around to see the Christmas lights.
The First Lights
In the beginning, when God created the world, the earth was dark and without form. Then He spoke, and created light (Genesis 1:3). A few days later, God created the sun, the moon, and the stars (vs. 14-18).
It wasn’t long, though, until the darkness of sin entered the world. Sin destroyed man’s relationship with God and marred every other relationship as well. When you think about sin, most of it has to do with broken relationships. Hatred, jealousy, deception, anger, murder, lying, oppression.
It was no different for the nation of Israel. Although she knew God, she did not love and follow Him wholeheartedly. She had a divided heart. After many generations of rebellion, God disciplined her with captivity by opposing nations. These nations did not know or respect the God of Israel. No longer was she free to live and worship as she once did. Jerusalem was in ruins. Israel was displaced, oppressed, and living under the shadow of death. Life was dark and hopeless. Finally, God made Israel a promise.
The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine. (Isaiah 9:2)
The promise of light.
The promise of relief from oppression.
The promise of a Savior.
The First Christmas Lights
About 750 years later, the promise was fulfilled. God announced the birth of His Son with the first Christmas lights.
A star (Matthew 2:1-2).
And the radiance of the Lord’s glory (Luke 2:8-9).
He choreographed His Christmas lights to the sound of an angelic chorus. After an angel told the shepherds about the birth of the Savior, immediately he was joined by a host of others, who sang:
Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased. (Luke 2:14)
Can you imagine what that must have been like? The shepherds were in a quiet field. No city lights. No neighborhood streetlights. Just the moon and the stars. And then–out of nowhere–the radiant glory of God shone all around them! No wonder they were afraid.
This incredible display, announcing the birth of a tiny boy.
As an adult, Jesus attended the Feast of Tabernacles, a Jewish festival celebrating God’s presence when the Israelites wandered in the desert. God led them by a cloud during the day, and by a pillar of fire at night. During the celebration, seven giant candelabras were lit, illuminating the entire temple. And Jesus declared:
I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life. (John 8:12)
God loves grand displays of light!
God loves grand displays of light! Share on XOur Christmas Lights
Most people don’t decorate their homes with lights as a tangible metaphor for the Light of Christ. But I love that people do it anyway. As believers, Christmas lights can shine every day.
For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ. (2 Corinthians 4:6)
You will shine like stars among them in the world as you hold firmly to the word of life. (Philippians 2:15-16)
The Light of the World lives in our hearts. As we hold forth the Light of Christ, we chase away the darkness around us!
Image: Pixabay (Jill Wellington)
What a wonderful analogy, Dianne! I never connected the star with Christmas lights. I had to smile when you mentioned Christmas Vacation. We watch that movie every year :). Thank you for this beautiful inspiration to look at Christmas lights in such an important way. This season will be much brighter for me now!
Thanks, Candace. Including the Star as a “Christmas light” wasn’t my plan when I started writing this. Interesting how God “lights up” 🙂 our thoughts. Thanks for coming by today!
Beautiful! I’ve never connected ‘all the lights’ before. This has definitely opened my eyes when scripture says light. Thank you.
Dianne, I’m always grateful when we put the little lights in our windows because it gets dark SO EARLY here in Maine winters. And it always makes me remember that Jesus came into the world in the midst of darkness, bringing his strong and steady light.
Thanks for bringing all this to mind today.
Love this reflection on lights and Christmas. My favorite decoration is white lights and candles. The best part is knowing Jesus came to be the light of the world. Most of the time when I write I light a candle as a reminder of the light of revelation from the Holy Spirit. I’ve been out of the blogging loop for a while to write my first book with Abingdon Press. It feels good to have the manuscript off my desk and be able to reconnect with blogging friends. Blessings!
Thanks for your devotional on light! I love Christmas lights too, and I’d forgotten the connection between the Feast of Tabernacles and the “I am the Light of the World” statement!
I often light a candle at my desk as well, Ginger. Either when I write or when I have my quiet time.
I also love candles, Ginger. I haven’t lit one in a while, though. I think I may do that the next time I sit down to write! Congrats on your book! Looking forward to see what God has in store for you!
Thanks, Betsy. I love those connections throughout Scripture. Seeing how it all fits together. Blessings on your Christmas season!
I love light! Everywhere! Thanks for taking time to read and comment.
I love real life metaphors that help us understand spiritual truths better, Michele. Recently I read that although the timing on our calendar may not be exactly right for Christmas, the end of the year is a beautiful time for reflection. I think it’s similar with the darkness of winter symbolizing the darkness of our world that Jesus came to save. Thanks for stopping by!
We don’t want to miss the light of the world, do we?
Indeed! Nor own opportunity to shine!! Blessings on your Christmas season!
I love the analogy of the first Christmas light…the star. It was not just a guide to the wise men, but also a proclamation!! The arrival of the Saviour. Glory to God for that!!
This season, my husband decided to put lights on the outside of our home. I pray it will help to express God’s love for us to our neighbors.
Blessings.
I bet your lights are beautiful. With your heart of love for God and desire to share it, I’m certain your neighbors will experience the Light of Christ from you. Blessings!
What an amazing way to look at Christmas lights!!! I loved this!
Stopping by from #dancewithJesus link up!
This is such a beautiful and creative angle, shedding “light” on the subject! I don’t believe I have been here before, but I stopped by from a link up and wanted to drop you a comment. I hope you have a very blessed Christmas and 2018, Diane!
Thank you, Meghan! Hope you have a lovely Christmas as well.
Whenever December comes, we put the decorations, the Christmas tree, and the lights. Our neighborhood gets a makeover with a display of lights when the sun comes down. I didn’t there’s such a deep meaning behind the lights, now I know, thank you.
A subject dear to my heart. I spoke at a Christmas Tea at the beginning of this month about Christmas lights are Jesus being the light of the world. There is a famous painting by a British artist (I’m British) called the Light of the World showing Jesus knocking on the door of our heart want to bring his light into our life. Do you know it?