Jesus said to the people, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t be stumbling through the darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” John 8:12
Sometimes God speaks to me in the most interesting ways. Most recently He chose to begin a conversation with me through the Christmas lights I was putting up. Admittedly, I was not doing it with the best attitude. After struggling with several strands that wouldn’t light, and a timer that had stopped working, all I could think was, “Putting up lights this year is stupid anyway. This is just another tradition that has no bearing on Christ’s birth. Furthermore, no one is coming over this year, so who will even see them? Why bother?” Nice attitude, right? Certainly not reflective of the joy that Christmas should bring.
Thankfully, it was here that God began to work on my attitude. I looked at the tangled strand of lights and started to think about why lights are a part of Christmas to begin with. I know this tradition began years ago when Christians put candles on their trees to symbolize Christ being the light of the world, but unfortunately for many, this symbolism has been lost. There are many who see the Christmas lights and never associate them, or Christmas, with Christ. There are many, who for whatever reason, are not able to accept the hope and the peace that is offered through walking in the light of Christ. So why go through all the work of putting lights up?
At this point I did what I often do when I’m trying to figure out God’s message to me. I turned to scripture to find out more about God’s light. In Matthew 5, Jesus says, “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” Out of the many verses that I read, this passage really spoke to me. It reminded me of what’s truly important not just at Christmas, but each and everyday. It’s not just about putting up lights for others to see, but it’s about our own heart and our own walk in the light. Can others see the light in each of us? If we are truly reflecting God’s light, then when others interact with us, it should be like an interaction with our Father. They should get to know God’s character through our actions. Wow! That could seem almost impossible, but it’s not. The more we learn about God through scripture, the more we can work to become like Him. With His help we can be the light. We can invite others to want what we have, and to join us in loving and praising our Father.
Well, I finished putting up my lights, but not for everyone else. I did it because when I look at all the tiny lights working together to light the whole tree, it brings me joy. The joy of knowing that we are each like one of the tiny lights, but when working together we bring a great light to the world. God’s light!
Father, in this season of celebration, let the lights on our trees be a reminder of what you call us to do here on Earth. Help us look for opportunities to serve others and be the light in this darkened world. Let us bring your love to those we meet, so that they too will want to seek You out and walk in Your light.
Sue Nicklas
12/08/2020