The true light that enlightens every man was coming into the world. – John 1:9
I love to take a few days off, just before Thanksgiving. I spend some of that time decorating the outside of the house and putting up our Christmas lights. I love to hang the lights on the house, wrap them on our trees and set out the lighted candy canes. Although it is the middle of winter with brown grass and leafless trees, our house seems more alive than at any other time of year.
In John’s Gospel, he often refers to Jesus as, “The True Light.” John recognized that the arrival of Jesus in Bethlehem ushered in the light of heaven. No longer would the world be separated from God’s presence. In Jesus, the world would now see what true love looks like. Light was coming to pierce the darkness of sin, selfishness and hopelessness. In Christ, we are shown a better way to live and a better way to follow.
We light our Christmas trees, our wreaths, our lights on the roofs, and even our candles in the sanctuary on Christmas Eve, not simply because it is pretty, but because it reminds us of the hope of God arriving in Christ. Through the birth of Jesus, light begins to shine in the dark and hope finds a place in our lives.
I hope you will take time this year to plug in as many lights as possible. We have been given the gift of the light of heaven. Let us light our candles, plug in our trees, and tell our neighbors and the world about the great gift of love and light we have in the birth of Christ Jesus, our Lord.
Rev. Keith King, Online Campus Pastor
