Day 2, Christmas Lights

A lot of people put up lights during Advent as a decoration.  I love decorations...not gaudy inflatable Santas or lit up lawn reindeer, but simple decorations of lights.  Perhaps it's a border on a window, or a door, or ones that even decorate a tree outside.  It's been a tradition and some go BIG and others keep it simple...I like simple.
But it's entirely right to decorate the house.  Those who would "Bah Humbug" traditions like these haven't read the elaborate decorations and liturgies of the Bible's Festivals - all of which God told them to celebrate.  Think about this in relation to what Advent signifies:

 John 1:1-5 (NIV)
1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 He was with God in the beginning.
3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.
4 In him was life, and that life was the light of men.
5 The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. 

Isaiah 9:2, 6-7 (NIV)
9:2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned...
9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this. 

When John’s gospel opens he introduces Jesus to us as the one linked to eternity past, before creation – read those first three verses in John 1 again.  John does more than say Jesus is eternal;  he says that Jesus brought to mankind light and life.

4 In him was life, and that life was the light of men.
5 The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. 

John is thinking back to an Old Testament Prophet who talked of the Messiah's coming in terms of bringing “light” to darkness that are in Isaiah 9:2, 6-7 (NIV)
9:2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light... 

 The promise of the Messiah is that he comes as light in the darkness of the world. The promise of the Messiah is that "the light shines in darkness, but the darkness doesn't understand (recognize) it..."

All of Israel waited for the Messiah to come, and yet when he arrived, many missed it.   Why?  Is it possible that we are so wrapped up our own perceptions of what God must do that we can fail to see God’s light shining in the little things around us? 

It is an easy temptation to constantly focus on the darkness. It is easy to feel overwhelmed at times by the not-so-good daily news. The economy, terrorism, wars, unemployment, disease, death, and on and on it goes.

What I am reminded of from these scripture is that God shines brightly in even the darkest places.  Jesus said “I am the light of the world” – and so my prayer is “help me Lord, to remember that in these days ahead that you are the light that breaks through the darkness we live in”.

I long for small signs of your light: the smile of a child; the kind clerk who smiled and said “thank you”; the words of encouragement and the gestures of love from family and friends; the person who pulled me aside on Sunday to whisper, "I just want you to know I'm praying for you".  There are many more “lights in darkness” if we will be open to the possibilities.  Let’s not succumb to a season of “bah, humbug” but walk in the expectation of Christ’s presence today.

Lights at Christmas are much more than decorations.  They are also representation – a reminder of the one who brings light to a dark world.  Jesus came to bring light to our lives, so that we might live in that life that is truly life.  

One of the songs we sing in worship is, "Here I am to Worship", written by Matt Redman.

Light of the World

You stepped down into darkness

Open my eyes let me see

Beauty that made this heart adore You

Hope of a life spent with You

Here I am to worship,

Here I am to bow down,

Here I am to say that you’re my God

You're altogether lovely

All together worthy,

All together wonderful to me

A Prayer:  Father we know that the darkness cannot stop you.  Jesus you are the light of the world, and it is our pleasure to serve you today as little lights.  Help us not to succumb to the fear of the darkness, but simply let our lights shine in good deeds, compassionate responses, listening ears, prayerful whispers and faith-filled thoughts.

May the lights of the Christmas remind us always that Jesus Christ has come, and that before he comes again, we are your lights that cannot be hidden.  Amen.