Christmas Lights

Christmas is the most wonderful season of the year! Don't you agree? I love all of the decorations, especially the lights. Many towns have a lighting contest to see who can decorate their home the best. Usually, the newspaper publishes pictures of the most beautifully decorated homes and during the holidays, people get in their cars and drive all around town to see the beautiful lighting displays. It is so easy to get so caught up the beauty of the lights that we might think that that is what Christmas is all about, but it isn't. You see, the lights aren't Christmas, the lights are just reminders of the One True Light that came to bring light into the world.

There is a beautiful song that we hear a lot at this time of year. It is called, "Shine On Us." The words go like this:

Our Bible reading for today tells us that there was a man who was sent from God; his name was John. He came to tell about the light so that everyone would believe. John wasn't the light, he only came to tell others about the light. Who was the light that John came to tell people about? That's right, it was Jesus. Jesus said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." (John 8:12)

This Christmas, as we enjoy the beautiful Christmas lights, let's remember that while they are beautiful, they are only reminders of the one true light -- Jesus. Let's also remember that we have been called to tell others about Jesus -- the light of the world -- that they might be saved, that they might have life, that they might find their way in the darkest night.

Heavenly Father, this is such a beautiful time of the year. As we enjoy the lights of Christmas, we give thanks for your Son, the light of the world. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.