This year I have been contemplating upon lights in the Bible around the story of the incarnation of Christ. Here are just a few thoughts:
The glory of the LORD shone round about the shepherds and they were sore afraid, terrified. What an amazing brilliance to what started out as an ordinary night caring for their sheep! It became an extraordinary night that they would never forget. That excellent crystal clear light that shone around them was the glory of God. It is incomprehensible to everyone of us what this experience was truly like, as we were not there to witness it. I guess that even the shepherds present on those Bethlehem hills that night could not find words adequate to describe it. Remember, the glory of God is the light in heavenly Jerusalem, as Revelation 21v23 tells us. I wonder what the glory of the Lord actually felt like, for it caused them to be sore afraid. Also, people in Bible times believed that if they saw God, then they would die. I wonder was this going through their minds too??
But the angel of the Lord told them 'Fear not' and brought them good tidings of great joy of the birth of our Saviour Christ the Lord. Then, the multitude of the heavenly host suddenly appeared, praising God. Oh, I would have loved to have heard that heavenly singing that night!! Those shepherds that night went from fearing God, to believing God, to glorifying and praising God, too, and telling it all around about the birth of the Saviour. As I contemplate upon the glory of God shining upon the shepherds, I must ask myself: Do I truly fear God enough to count myself unworthy in His holy presence? Does the birth of Christ bring me real joy or is it just a festive season for me? Do I trust God's Word enough to act upon it? Do I love others enough to tell them of the only Saviour from sin? Am I continually glorifying and praising God?
Now to proceed with more thoughts on lights, read on down the chapter and see that Simeon described Jesus as 'A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.' (Luke 2v32) I am really glad that Christ's salvation is for Jew and Gentile. Praise God, He did not leave me in the darkness of sin.
I must not forget the wise men following the star to visit Jesus. That special bright star in the sky led them to seek Christ the King. It guided them right to the very place where He was and they fell down and worshipped HIM, (not Mary or Joseph). He became their King and God. Is He your God and Saviour and is He King of your life?
It is very significant that Jesus who described Himself as the Light of the world was born to save us from the darkness of sin.
"Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."
John 8:12 KJV
Jesus also said, "I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness."
John 12:46 KJV
The person who follows the LORD Jesus is not going to walk in the darkness of sins but will experience the light of life that only God can give. So, where do we gain our knowledge of how we should follow the Light of the world. Turn to the Word of God which is a light to show us the way.
"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."
Psalms 119:105 KJV
Once we experience God's salvation, we need to be burning shining lights for Him in this dark sinful world.
Jesus said, "Ye are the light of the world. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."
Matthew 5:14+16 KJV
So, to conclude, Christmas lights are a reminder to me that I must follow The Light of the world to be a light in the world for Him and that I need to walk in the light of His Word.
**(Read Luke chapter 2 and Matthew chapter 2 to discover more of the story concerning the shepherds and the wise men.)